The Solar Corridor Model: To Maximize Organic Crop Production Charles LeRoy Deichman Deichman Consulting Session: General Integrated Agricultural Systems II ASA, CSSA, and SSSA 2010 International Annual Meetings Long Beach, CA October 31 - November 3, 2010

SUNLIGHT in Corn Production A Paradigm Shift The Solar Corridor Corn rows spaced widely enough apart to enable sunlight to reach the lower leaves for the entire growing season

Photosynthesis The 1st production event that occurs when the new leaf emerges from the soil or whorl is Photosynthesis – the heart of the organic production process Loomis & Williams says 90% of plant productivity is sourced in carbon based photosynthetic compounds The Solar Corridor production system is designed to nurture and grow the process of photosynthesis To the extent that photosynthetic source is sufficient, genetically coded Enzymes drive subsequent plant growth  Rate x Duration = Yield, as governed by: The Law of the Minimum The value of input A as a function of inputs B through Z

SUNLIGHT in Corn Production A Paradigm Shift Corn rows spaced far enough apart to enable sunlight to reach the lower leaves for the entire growing season Enabling the bio capture of more CO2 for BioSynthesis into more photosynthate derived carbon compounds Rows oriented North-South to maximize sunlight falling between the twin row pairs and on the secondary crops Lower leaves are exposed to sunlight Secondary Crop Wheat, then clover Corn Twin Row Grow a shorter symbiotic crop on the vacated row that completes its  peak demand for sunlight before the corn plant begins its increasing demand for that light

Photosynthesis CO2 CO2 CO2 CO2P CHL < CM < GL SS CS AF SUNLIGHT CATALYST HPF MDAP (kW) OF H2O 360o Carbon Cycle CHL – Chloroplast CM – Chlorophyll Molecule GL – Green Leaf SS – Simple Sugars CS – Complex Sugars AF – Alcohol Fuels HPF – High Protein (VM) Feed MDAP – Meat, Dairy, and Animal Products CO2P – CO2 Sourced Products OF – Organic Fertilizer

The New Paradigm Enables the mature chloroplasts to capture more CO2 and produce more photosynthates Enables the highest capacity reproductive sinks to access more photosynthates Enables vegetative sinks to access more photosynthates Cultivar and variety selection is site specific, production inputs then become variety specific   

Treatments 4 Hybrids (Designated A, B, C, and D) 4 Plant populations 3 Replications Randomized Block Split/Split Plot design 1st split by hybrid, 2nd by plant population   2 Row width entries Control: 30 inch rows Treatment: 60 inch rows Study was conducted in North/South rows on Elliot-Ashkum silty clay loam soils at 40.44 N Latitude Deichman Consulting

HYBRID RESPONSE TO SOLAR CORRIDOR TREATMENTS Average Over All Plant Populations Unless Noted Deichman Consulting

Summary and Conclusions Increased productivity can be achieved through utilization of the Solar Corridor System Sunlight is made available to more chloroplasts to produce more carbohydrates to meet sink demands through physiological maturity Appropriately selected site specific supporting practices maximize Solar Corridor benefits Increased Yield and Carbon Sequestration Reduced Lodging and Soil Erosion The preliminary results indicate the need for subsequent research on the Solar Corridor model for organic crop production

HARVESTING OPTIONS FOR THE SOLAR CORRIDOR FLOOR CROP MITSUBISHI MB220 Binder MITSUBISHI VM7 Combine fits 60” rows MITSUBISHI VS281 Combine fits 72” rows