The Solar Corridor Crop System - a Logical Attempt to Maximize Solar Radiation Efficiency.

Many potentially productive chloroplasts in corn fields are deprived of incident sunlight.

We thought this conclusive and irrefutable observation justified an appropriate investigative response. Thus, we developed our hypothesis and testing protocol to identify the impact, that deprivation could have on corn yield.

Our hybrid specific seminal yield data; USPatent-validated, and replicated by published peer review research indicate that not only can corn yields be greatly increased by the proper development of the sourcing concept but many parameters for increasing the sustainability of our finite production base of good arable soils were also identified and addressed.

Certainly, increased corn yield and sustainability of the sourcing resources are both relatively important factors in our fields of study. Coupled with the relative abundance and low cost of incident sunlight; development of an integrated crop production system around these findings seemed like a logical basis to propose what we now call the Solar Corridor Crop System (SCCS).

Proper development of this novel system offers great potential for as long as the sun shines.

We hope many attendees agree and choose to become collaborative contributors to this growing body of evidence that is sorely needed to maximize radiation use efficiency, via more effective capture of carbon dioxide and water and more efficient utilization of water and other essential plant nutrients. Accordingly, our results (unanticipated by many whom are knowledgeable in the field) show that specific research is required involving many disciplines to identify and to fill in the gaps.

Subsequent research objectives, will be a major focus of this paper.

See more from this Division: ASA Section: Agronomic Production Systems
See more from this Session: Alternative Cropping Systems and Soil Health

<< Previous Abstract | Next Abstract >>