1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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   

7. 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 N Latitude
Deichman Consulting

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

9. 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

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