Optimizing Row Spacing Increases Stalk Lodging Resistance by Improving Light Distribution in Dense Maize Populations

Dense planting effectively increases maize yield while increasing stalk lodging risk. Appropriate row spacing can improve the population structure and resistance, but its physiological ecological mechanisms interaction with density are unclear. Here, a two-year field experiment to determine joint effects of on stem characteristics quantitative relationship light condition within resistance indicated that mechanical strength showed quadratic function photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), whereas rate an exponential basal transmittance (LT). Further, LT was significantly positively correlated internode thickness, dry weight per unit length (DWUL), cortical tissue lignin cellulose contents. Increasing decreased PAR; correspondingly DWUL, contents, strength; increased rate, did opposite. Thus, optimizing enhanced through PAR improvement lower part further grain by components. The appropriate varied density. proper strategy for high yielding under this experimental 67,500 plants ha?1 60 + cm equal spacing.