Tests by the Agricultural Centre for Forage Crops (LCV, Belgium) show that a smaller row spacing (less than 75 cm) between maize rows, Diamond sowing or Lemken's Deltarow principle can cause starch content in maize and the overall yield of the maize to increase. The organic fertiliser can be used more optimally by the maize, so less input of chemical fertiliser is necessary. However, the trials did show that a smaller row spacing did not necessarily produce a lower nitrate residue.
More on this can be found in this article: 'Andere rijafstanden in maïs voordelig, maar geen garantie voor lager nitraatresidu' (Dutch).
