The Effects of Plant Density and The Pattern of Plant Arrangement on The Yield of Parsnips

The results of two spacing experiments, one with var. Offenham only and the other with vars. Offenham and Avonresister, are described and discussed.

The number of plants per sq. ft. affected mean root size; about 2 plants per sq. ft. gave the highest yield of roots >2 in. crown diameter, whereas about 4 to 6 plants per sq. ft. gave the highest yield of prepackingsized roots (1½ in. to 2½ in.). At a given plant density, however, varying the row spacing over a range likely to be used commercially had no significant effect on the total yield of roots or their size grading.

The greatest difference in the yielding ability of the two varieties occurred at low plant densities, where Offenham outyielded Avonresister by up to 88%, whereas at high plant densities the yield difference was only about 10%. A mathematical model relating yield to plant density was used to analyse the results and characterize the difference in the response of the two varieties to plant density.