© 2009 Plant Management Network. Accepted for publication 12 December 2008. Published 24 February 2009. Skip-Row Planting Patterns Stabilize Corn Grain Yields in the Central Great Plains Drew J. Lyon, Alexander D. Pavlista, and Gary W. Hergert, Panhandle Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, Scottsbluff, NE 69361; Robert N. Klein, West Central Research and Extension Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, North Platte, NE 69101; Charles A. Shapiro and Stevan Knezevic, Haskell Agricultural Laboratory, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Concord, NE 68728; Stephen C. Mason and Lenis A. Nelson, Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, University of Nebraska- Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68583-0915; David D. Baltensperger, Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2474; Roger W. Elmore, Department of Agronomy, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011; Merle F. Vigil, USDA-ARS Central Great Plains Research Station, Akron, CO 80720- 1029; Alan J. Schlegel, Southwest Research and Extension Center, Kansas State University, Tribune, KS 67879; and Brian L. Olson and Robert M. Aiken, Northwest Kansas Research and Extension Center, Kansas State University, Colby, KS 67701 Corresponding author: Drew J. Lyon. dlyon1@unl.edu Lyon, D. J., Pavlista, A. D., Hergert, G. W., Klein, R. N., Shapiro C. A., Knezevic, S., Mason, S. C., Nelson, L. A., Baltensperger, D. D., Elmore, R. W., Vigil, M. F., Schlegel, A. J., Olson, B. L., and Aiken, R. M. 2009. Skip-row planting patterns stabilize corn grain yields in the central Great Plains. Online. Crop Management doi:10.1094/CM-2009-0224- 02-RS. Abstract The highly variable climate of the central Great Plains makes dryland corn ( Zea mays) production a risky enterprise. Twenty-three field trials were conducted across the central Great Plains from 2004 through 2006 to quantify the effect of various skip-row planting patterns and plant populations on grain yield in dryland corn production. A significant planting pattern by plant population interaction was observed at only one of 23 trials, suggesting that planting pattern recommendations can be made largely irrespective of plant population. In trials where skip-row planting patterns resulted in increased grain yields compared to the standard planting pattern treatment (every row planted using a 30-inch row spacing), the mean grain yield for the standard planting treatment was 44 bu/acre. In those trials where skip-row planting resulted in decreased grain yield compared to the standard planting pattern, the mean yield was 135 bu/acre. The plant two rows, skip two rows planting pattern is recommended for risk- averse growers in the central Great Plains where field history or predictions suggest likely grain yields of 75 bu/acre or less. Planting one row and skipping one row is recommended for growers with moderate risk-aversion and likely yield levels of 100 bu/acre or less. Introduction The central Great Plains is a temperate semi-arid region with large variations in total annual rainfall from year to year (8). Most of the highly variable annual precipitation is received during the months of May, June, and July. Unfortunately, high temperatures and low relative humidity occur at the same time, resulting in high evaporation and transpiration potential. Extended periods of drought are common. Consequently, dryland (rainfed) production of full-season summer crops such as corn is a risky enterprise, i.e., the range of possible grain yields is large and unpredictable (5). In southeast Queensland, a subtropical semi-arid region, skip-row planting patterns yielded as much or more sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor ) grain as the 24 February 2009 Crop Management