Increasing the spacing between plants, i.e., reducing plant density per m2 , should be done when soil is managed according to the principles of CA as in PQNK systems. This is because it is natural for tillering crops to grow more profusely in the more fertile soil environment that is created by PQNK practices: more soil organic matter, more soil moisture, more biotic activity, and better soil structure. By allowing each plant to fully develop its root systems and its canopy, more nutrients are absorbed from the soil (and more carbon is stored in the soil), while the photosynthetic process is boosted. The result is an increase in plant productivity which comes together with a reduced expense for seeds in case farmers need to buy them.
