Evaluation of Cottonseed Hydration‐Chilling Treatments for Improving Seedling Emergence

Abstract

AbstractStands of early season upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) are often reduced by low soil temperatures. Preplant treatments of acid‐delinted seed, consisting of either single or combined applications of hydrating and chilling, were evaluated for their effect on cottonseed germination and seedling emergence at different temperatures. Problems associated with metering hydrated cottonseed with vacuum and double‐run metering systems were identified. Preplant seed hydration increased germination rate as indicated by early seedling length measurements in germination tests. None of the preplant hydrate or hydrate‐chill treatments increased final germination or emergence compared to dry seed treated with a seed protectant fungicide for the cultivar ‘Paymaster 111.’ Decreased germination resulted from immediately planting seed that were either soaked for 6 hours at 30 C or given the combined treatment of soaking for 6 hours at 30 C and 24 hours at 5 C. Soak or soak‐chill treatments which were allowed to air‐dry 24 hours before planting resulted in increased percentage emergence over seeds planted immediately following soaking. Seed fragments that resulted from the disintegration of seed during rapid hydration decreased seeding rate by clogging the nozzles of the vaccum metering system. Hydrated seed required recalibration of the double‐run mechanical metering system to accommodate the increased seed size.