Effect of Plant Density and Row Width on Canopy Architecture in Sorghum

Abstract

Plant architecture can be used to simulate resource acquisition, biomass production and plant stand levels thus increasing resource capture efficiencies to be compared between architectures. In the present study, five biofuel sorghum genotypes and one maize hybrid were grown at two planting densities (20 plants/m2 and 30 plants/m2) and two row width (40 cm and 67 cm). The elevation angle, phyllotaxy and blade curvature orientation were monitored using 3 D Polhemus digitizer and the shoot organ characteristics (leaf area, leaf length, leaf area index, total biomass) were monitored by destructive measurements. Leaf area indices calculated from destructive measurements were compared with those of nondestructive measurements using the LAI2000 device (Licor, Lincoln, USA). Variation of plant density caused significant changes in architectural traits like leaf area index (LAI) and total biomass.