*4.4.8 Crop geometry*

Optimum plant population and crop geometry are equally important to have good crop cover on the land. Narrow intra-spacing (within rows) across the slope offers tolerance to runoff and ultimately reduces the soil erosion. Narrow spacing is always better for soil and water conservation, but it may cause severe competition for nutrient, water, light and space resulting in in lower yield of crops. A study carried out Chandigarh in Northern India reported that growing of Maize at 60 cm × 22.5 cm with minimum tillage reduced the runoff from 281 to 253 mm, soil loss from 5.7 to 4.4 Mg/ha as compared to conventional crop geometry [29].
