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| As discussed about a week ago (see following link), I am trying to figure out how to use solar corridors to achieve the following 4 objectives WITHOUT loss of yield (relative to 30" corn).
https://talk.newagtalk.com/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=939618&mid=838...
1) improved weed control in organic corn
2) improved nutrient management in organic corn and following crops
3) improved corn health
4) improved soil health
Improved grazing after corn harvest is NOT one of my objectives (because we don't have any livestock on the WIU Organic Research farm), but is important to many of the farmers experimenting with solar corridors.
I am cautiously optimistic that practices implemented this season (e.g., better hybrid selection, north-south row orientation, solar corridor every *3rd row*, more targeted N application and mowing of solar corridors in early August) will minimize the yield gap between 30" corn and corn with solar corridors.
Last week we harvested the mix of oats and peas planted this spring following corn with and without solar corridors in 2019.
We are still crunching the yield data but the yields were better following solar corridors.
Joel
WIU Agriculture
Edited by jbgruver 8/2/2020 22:40
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New Solar Corridor pics
