Which of the following practices accelerates canopy closure?

Narrow rows facilitate a quicker canopy closure because they allow crops to be planted more densely. When plants are closer together, they can begin to shade the ground more quickly as they grow. This dense planting strategy encourages vertical growth and leaf area development, reducing the time it takes for the canopy to fully cover the ground. In a narrower row configuration, the plants compete for sunlight, which contributes to faster growth and canopy development.

Wider rows, on the other hand, can lead to delayed canopy closure since plants are spaced farther apart, requiring more time for adjacent plants to grow and fill in the gaps. Irregular planting disrupts uniform growth and spacing, leading to uneven light distribution and potential gaps in the canopy. Higher seeding rates can accelerate canopy closure as well, but the impact may vary based on species and environmental factors; while denser populations can enhance closure, they might also lead to competition stress, potentially inhibiting growth. Therefore, narrow rows are particularly effective in promoting rapid canopy closure, making this approach one of the preferred practices in many cropping systems.