The economic spacing of trees and other crops

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Abstract
Density related yield functions are used in this paper to consider the conditions that determine the profitablity of increasing or reducing the density of crops. The optimal density of the crop when densities need to be increased to raise profit is shown to be usually less than the profit-maximising density when densities need to be reduced to increase profit. It is shown that when actual densities fall in a particular density band or range (which straddles the density for which yield per hectare is at a maximum) profit is maximised by leaving the existing density unchanged. This range or band is described as an ‘inert’ area. Determinants of the width of this band are discussed The existence of this ‘inert’ area has not been recognised in the earlier literature. Its agricultural policy implications have been ignored by policy-makers, many of whom also fail to take account of other economic considerations discussed in this paper.

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