Cotton Lint Yield Research Articles

Thirty-four years of no-tillage and cover crops improve soil quality and increase cotton yield in Alfisols, Southeastern USA

Determination of a plant population density threshold for optimizing cotton lint yield: A synthesis

Two field experiments were conducted at Sakha Research Station, Cotton Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center at Giza, Egypt during the two summer growing seasons ,2014 and 2015 The aim of the work was to study the effect of the combination among nano-fertilization ,mineral fertilization and organic fertilization on growth, yield and fiber technological properties of Egyptian cotton Giza 94 cultivar. The most important results can be summarized as follows: Response of cotton yield and lint properties to mineral N.P.K nano-fertilization the complex treatment contains half dose of both the nano-fertilizer and the bio-organic fertilizer gave the highest reading for plant height (cm), number of fruiting branches per plant, number of open bolls per plant, boll weight (gram), lint percentage, Seed index, Seed cotton yield (Kentar/fed.) , Lint cotton yield (Kentar/fed.), fiber maturity ratio (MR), upper half mean (UHM)mm, fiber uniformity index (UI), fiber strength (g/tex), and micronaire value flowed by the treatment 100% nano then the recommended dose of mineral fertilizer NPK. On the other hand, the lowest values for all the above traits, were recorded from the half does of NPK mineral fertilizer in 2014 and 2015 seasons, .While, There were no significant differences between the means of the fiber elongation % due to the treatments applied during the study in 2014 season .It's worthy to mention that, the percentage of fiber elongation had no constant trend due to fertilizer transactions applied on the adopted genotype during` 2015 season, meaning that nano-fertilizer is boosting the fiber elongation percent.

Abstract Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the impacts of graywater irrigation with and without soil conditioning with mulching on cotton growth and soil properties in El Paso, Texas, USA. Treatments included in the study were: freshwater irrigation without soil conditioning (control, treatment T0), freshwater irrigation with soil conditioning (treatment T1), graywater irrigation without soil conditioning (treatment T2) and with soil conditioning (treatment T3) with four replications. The pH, sodium absorption ratio (SAR) and electrical conductivity (EC) values of the graywater used in the study were 8.19, 16.0 and 1.54 dS/cm respectively. Results showed that graywater irrigation did not have significant impacts on cotton growth and lint yield. Soil conditioning with mulch increased cotton yield significantly (p < 0.05) compared with non-mulching regardless of water types. Graywater irrigation increased soil pH values significantly in the surface depth (0–15 cm), however, it did not have significant effects at greater depths (>15 cm). Significantly higher salinity and sodicity were observed in the upper 30 cm depths in the graywater irrigated mulched soils, while no changes were detected at greater depths (30–45 and 45–60 cm).

Prediction of cotton lint yield from phenology of crop indices using artificial neural networks

Core Ideas Salinity and sodicity in irrigated cotton fields are reducing soil productivity, lint yield, and fiber quality in arid and semiarid regions of the world. Sulfur burner treatment of irrigation water can be used to tap native CaCO3 to produce CaSO4 in a safe manner. Calcium sulfate increases Ca availability in the root zone to counter Na, improve soil permeability, and leach salts to deeper depths. Salinity and sodicity are the dual problems affecting soil productivity, lint yield, and fiber quality in the irrigated pima cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fields in far west Texas. This field study evaluated the effects of S burner‐treated blended irrigation water on sodicity and salinity of the root zone, cotton lint yield, and fiber quality. Results indicated that pre‐study soil salinity and sodicity exceeded the threshold levels in many areas within the 9.2‐ha study site. One year of irrigation with S burner‐treated water resulted in 19% reduction in salinity of the upper 0‐ to 30‐cm depth and redistribution of salts at deeper depths. Average sodium adsorption ratio (SAR) of study site soils decreased by 3 to 5% at 0‐ to 15‐, 30‐ to 45‐, and 45‐ to 60‐cm depths and reduction in the SAR range for 15‐ to 30‐ and 60‐ to 75‐cm depths indicated redistribution of Na. Irrigation with S burner‐treated blended water increased annual cotton lint yield by 20% compared with long‐term average and improved fiber quality. However, 1 yr of irrigation with S burner‐treated water did not reduce the maximum soil ECe and SAR values below the threshold levels at different depths. Multi‐year studies are needed to confirm our results and quantify the duration required to restore soil quality, cotton yield, and fiber quality.

The improvement of fiber quality is an essential goal in cotton breeding. In our previous studies, several quantitative trait loci (QTLs) contributing to improved fiber quality were identified in different introgressed chromosomal regions from Sea Island cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) in a primary introgression population (Pop. A) of upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.). In the present study, to finely map introgressed major QTLs and accurately dissect the genetic contribution of the target introgressed chromosomal segments, we backcrossed two selected recombinant inbred lines (RILs) that presented desirable high fiber quality with their high lint-yielding recurrent parent to ultimately develop two secondary mapping populations (Pop. B and Pop. C). Totals of 20 and 27 QTLs for fiber quality were detected in Pop. B and Pop. C, respectively, including four and five for fiber length, four and eight for fiber micronaire, two and four for fiber uniformity, five and four for fiber elongation, and six and four for fiber strength, respectively. Two QTLs for lint percentage were detected only in Pop. C. In addition, seven stable QTLs were identified, including two for both fiber length and fiber strength and three for fiber elongation. Five QTL clusters for fiber quality were identified in the introgressed chromosomal regions, and negative effects of these chromosomal regions on lint percentage (a major lint yield parameter) were not observed. Candidate genes with a QTL-cluster associated with fiber strength and fiber length in the introgressed region of Chr.7 were further identified. The results may be helpful for revealing the genetic basis of superior fiber quality contributed by introgressed alleles from G. barbadense. Possible strategies involving marker-assisted selection (MAS) for simultaneously improving upland cotton fiber quality and lint yield in breeding programs was also discussed.

Core IdeasSoil organic C was two times greater with a no‐tillage rye cover crop system compared with conventional tillage (winter fallow) 17 yr after imposing treatments.A greater rate of C gain was observed with a no‐tillage mixed species cover crop system than with a rye cover crop in a 3‐yr period.Cotton lint yield and gross margins were less with a no‐tillage rye cover crop system than conventional tillage.Differences of lint yield and gross margins did not exist between the conventional tillage and no‐tillage mixed species cover crop treatments.Conservation tillage coupled with winter cover crops may reduce wind erosion in the North America Great Plains. Although farmers recognize the benefits of conservation practices, their decision to use cover crops is often based on the farm’s operating budget. In semiarid ecoregions dependent on irrigation for cotton (Gossypium hirsutumL.) production and limited groundwater resources, cover crops using stored soil moisture is a major concern. The objective of this research was to quantify the long‐term impacts of conservation tillage and cover crop use on C storage, cotton lint yield, and economic returns in monoculture cotton production. Conservation tillage and rye cover were implemented in 1998 and a mixed species cover of rye (Secale cerealeL.), hairy vetch (Vicia villosaRoth), radish (Raphanus sativusL.), and winter pea (Pisum sativumL.) was seeded in 2014 into half of the rye cover crop plots. Soil organic C in the top 15‐cm soil depth was increased by combining conservation tillage with winter cover crops. Cotton lint yield was less with no‐tillage and the rye cover when compared with conventional tillage in 2 of 3 yr. As a result, cotton lint revenue and gross margins of conservation tillage were on average less than conventional tillage.

Precise and appropriate management of farmland for a cotton crop to reach the highest water use efficiency with a low water supply and an acceptable yield is required in arid- and semiarid regions. This study in Iran aimed to find the most appropriate concentration of jasmonic acid (JA) and the best stage for application to cope with any negative impacts of water deficit stress. A split-plot factorial experiment based on a randomized complete block design with three replications was used in 2 consecutive years (2016–2017). Two irrigation intervals of 10 and 20 days were used, with four concentrations of JA (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg L<sup>−1</sup> ) and applications at three crop stages (vegetative, reproductive, and vegetative and reproductive together). The final results showed that the 20-day interval significantly decreased relative water content, the quantity of cotton, cotton yield and its related traits including boll number per plant, the 1,000-seed weight, seed cotton yield, lint yield, and lint percentage. It also increased the content of proline and soluble sugars. The 50-mg L<sup>−1</sup> concentration of JA applied at the vegetative-reproductive stages appropriately mitigated the negative effects of water deficit. These results are of practical application for farmers in arid- and semiarid regions with low water supply when irrigating cotton lands in order to reach an acceptable cotton yield.

This research was carried out to evaluate the performance of eight Egyptian cotton genotypes and their F1 hybrids under Upper Egypt heat conditions using Line x Tester analysis, during 2016 and 2017 seasons. In addition, to determine the combining ability, heterosis and gene action which control yielding ability and fiber traits. Eight Egyptian cotton genotypes and 15 crosses were evaluated at Shandaweel Agricultural Research Station, Sohag governorate. Analysis of variance indicated that genotypes, parents, crosses and parents vs. crosses were significant or highly significant for all the studied traits, except lint percentage in parents and parents vs. crosses, which were insignificant. The mean squares due to lines or tester (G.C.A.) were significant or highly significant for most of the studied traits. Line x Tester (S.C.A.) main squares was highly significant for most yield traits, while insignificant Line x Tester (S.C.A.) mean squares were found for all fiber quality traits. Regarding mean performance and heterosis, the varieties Giza 90, Giza 95 and Giza 86 were the best parents in yielding ability and gave high yielding crosses under heat conditions, while Giza 45 and Giza 92 were the good parents to produce the best fiber quality crosses. The results of heterosis also showed that seven crosses had positive and highly significant heterosis based on mid-parents in seed and lint cotton yield /plant and number of bolls/plant i.e., (Giza 80 x Giza 90), (Giza 86 x Giza 90), (Giza 86 x Giza 95), (Giza 87 x Giza 90), (Giza 45 x (Giza 90 x Australian)), and (Giza 92 x Giza 90), while the cross (Giza 92 x Giza 95) had better yield and fiber traits. The line Giza 86 was the best combiner for seed and lint cotton yield/plant, number of bolls/plant and seed index, while lines Giza 45 and Giza 92 were the best combiners for fiber fineness, fiber strength and fiber length. The tester Giza 90 was the best combiner for seed cotton yield/plant and lint cotton yield/plant. Four crosses exhibited positive and significant values of specific combining ability (S.C.A.) effects for seed cotton yield/plant, lint cotton yield/plant, lint percentage and number of bolls/plant. The non-additive of genetic variance was larger than additive genetic variance in all yielding ability traits and additive genetic variance was higher than dominance variance for all fiber quality traits. Broad sense heritability (Hb%) was higher than narrow sense heritability (Hn%) for all traits and high heritability estimates in narrow sense were found for all fiber traits.

The response of soil chemical, physical, and biological properties to subsurface band and surface broadcast applications of pelletized poultry litter (PPL) to row crops has not been well documented in Mississippi agroecosystems. This study was conducted in a no-till system on Caledonia silt loam and in a conventional tillage system on Marietta loam, to determine the effects of PPL placement relative to inorganic N fertilizer on selected soil health indicators, including total C, penetration resistance, and microbial activity. The experimental design at each site was a randomized complete block with three treatments replicated four times. Treatments were PPL at the rate of 6.7 Mg ha−1, state-recommended inorganic N fertilizer, and an unfertilized control. Inorganic N fertilizer was applied as urea-ammonium nitrate (32% N). Relative to inorganic N fertilizer, applying PPL in subsurface band for 4 years (2010–2103) increased soil P by 48% and total C by 17%. Regardless of the PPL application method, soil penetration resistance was 19% lower with PPL than fertilizer N. Residual NO3-N levels in the soil layers did not differ between PPL and unfertilized control; however, levels were greatest with inorganic N fertilizer. Additionally, applying PPL in subsurface bands increased soil dehydrogenase activity and cephalothin-resistant heterotrophic plate count bacteria as compared with the control and inorganic N fertilizer. Cotton lint yield was significantly greater with PPL than with inorganic N fertilizer in 2012 in Caledonia silt loam soil (1,244 vs. 1,128 kg ha−1) and in 2013 in Marietta loam soil (1,369 vs. 1,078 kg ha−1). Subsurface band placement of PPL appeared to be very useful in improving soil chemical, physical, and biological properties.

The present study was carried out at Shandaweel Research Station, Cotton Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center, Sohag, Egypt during the three summer seasons of 2014-2016. The basic materials consisted of F2- population stemmed from the cross between (Giza 90 X Giza 80). The population was subjected to pedigree selection for two cycles. The selection procedures were single trait selection for lint yield/plant, in addition to eight selection indices. The index selection proposed by Pesek and Baker (1970) was used with different combinations of characters. The main objective of this study was to determine efficiency of selection index procedure in isolate elite high yielding genotypes. Average observed genetic gain of the ten selected families after tow cycles of selection indicated that lint yield/ plant ranged from 9.08% (P≤0.01) for index 7 to 22.73% (P≤0.01) for index 2. Index 5 and index 8 ranked the first and showed significant genetic gain of (12.30 and 15.00%), (17.88 and 15.43%), (13.60and 13.97%), (5.38 and 7.20%) and (17.76 and 10.36%) for seed cotton yield, lint yield, boll weight, seed index and lint index; respectively. Index 2 ranked the second who gave significant genetic gain of 20.75, 22.73, 15.81, 7.53 and 15.43% for the same previous traits respectively. While, the single trait selection for lint yield/plant ranked the last and showed significant genetic gain of 11.08, 9.69, 16.18, 7.96 and 10.78% for seed cotton yield, lint yield, boll weight, seed index and lint index; respectively. These results indicated that selection index was better than single trait selection in isolated superior families in yield and yield components.

Mepiquat chloride application does not favor leaf photosynthesis and carbohydrate metabolism as well as lint yield in late-planted cotton at high plant density

This investigation was carried out at Sakha Experimental Station, Agricultural Research Center during four seasons 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. Five populations (P1, P2, F1, F2 and F3) for the four barbadense cotton crosses namely (Uzbekstan1 x C.B 58), (TNB x C.B 58), (BBB x C.B 58) and (Giza 94 x Giza 45) were used in this investigation to study the genetic behaviour of yield and its components and fibre traits. The aim of the present investigation was to study heterosis, inbreeding depression and type of gene action in four intra-specific crosses to obtain additional information about some genetic parameters to help the breeder to select effective breeding methods. The results showed that the potence ratio estimates indicated overdominance for seed cotton and lint yield/plant, boll weight, lint percentage and number of bolls/plant, while the quality traits exhibited partial dominance. Highly significant positive heterotic effects relative to mid-parent and better parent were obtained for seed cotton yield, lint cotton yield and number of bolls/plant, while it was for lint percentage. The inbreeding depression effects were highly significant for the number of bolls/plant, seed cotton yield and lint cotton yield. Highly significant values of additive and dominance were found for seed cotton yield, lint cotton yield and number of bolls/plant. Dominance effects for Micronaire value and fibre length were of greater magnitude than additive effects. Highly significant epistasis values were found for additive x additive and dominance x dominance with complementary action with non-additive effect. High broad-sense heritability values were calculated for all studied traits, while narrow sense heritability values were of low values for seed cotton and lint cotton yield. on the other hand the fibre quality traits exhibited high values in three crosses as well as the heritabilities of regression

Core Ideas Cereal rye/crimson clover cover crop mixtures can be used for weed suppression and soil moisture conservation in cotton production.Cover crop management at cotton planting can influence cotton emergence, weed suppression, and soil moisture dynamics.Cotton emergence declined when cotton was planted directly into standing cover crop and without row cleaners engaged, but this reduction did not affect cotton lint yield.Soil temperature was reduced and soil moisture was increased by the presence of a cover crop mulch regardless of cover crop residue management strategy at cotton planting.Cover crop residue management did not affect cotton lint yield when herbicides were used, indicating that conventional producers have flexibility in terminating cover crops and residue management at cotton planting. Cover crop residue management can affect performance of the subsequent crop. This experiment was conducted in five environments in North Carolina from 2014 to 2016 to determine the effect of a cereal rye (Secale cereale)/crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) mulch on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) emergence, soil temperature, soil moisture, weed suppression, and cotton yield under a conventional and organic weed control context. The cereal rye and crimson clover mixture was planted in mid‐October and terminated 1 wk prior to cotton planting using a roller‐crimper or herbicide application. Cover crop residue management included fertilized, rolled cover crop with row cleaners engaged at planting (Roll+F+RC), rolled cover crop with row cleaners engaged at planting (Roll+RC), rolled cover crop (Roll), standing cover crop with row cleaners engaged at planting (Stand+RC), and no cover crop (BARE). Weed treatments included with and without herbicides. Cover crop dry biomass ranged from 3820 to 6610 kg ha−1 across environments. Fertilizing the cover crop enhanced cover crop dry biomass production by 250 to 1860 kg ha−1. Cotton emergence declined when cotton was planted directly into standing cover crop and without row cleaners engaged. Soil temperature was reduced and soil moisture was increased by the presence of a cover crop. Cover crop residue management did not affect late‐season weed biomass at four of the five environments. Cover crop residue management did not affect cotton lint yield when herbicides were used, indicating that conventional producers have flexibility in terminating cover crops and residue management at cotton planting.

Biochar application as a soil amendment has been proposed as a strategy to improve soil fertility and increase crop yields. However, the effects of successive biochar applications on cotton yields and nutrient distribution in soil are not well documented. A three-year field study was conducted to investigate the effects of successive biochar applications at different rates on cotton yield and on the soil nutrient distribution in the 0–100 cm soil profile. Biochar was applied at 0, 5, 10, and 20 t ha-1 (expressed as Control, BC5, BC10, and BC20, respectively) for each cotton season, with identical doses of chemical fertilizers. Biochar enhanced the cotton lint yield by 8.0–15.8%, 9.3–13.9%, and 9.2–21.9% in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, and high levels of biochar application achieved high cotton yields each year. Leaching of soil nitrate was reduced, while the pH values, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen (N), and available K content of the 0–20 cm soil layer were increased in 2014 and 2015. However, the changes in the soil available P content were less substantial. This study suggests that successive biochar amendments have the potential to enhance cotton productivity and soil fertility while reducing nitrate leaching.

Cotton root growth is often hindered in the Southeastern U.S. due to the presence of root-restricting soil layers. Tillage must be used to temporarily remove this compacted soil layer to allow root growth to depths needed to sustain plants during periods of drought. However, the use of a uniform depth of tillage may be an inefficient use of energy due to the varying depth of this root-restricting layer. Therefore, the objective of this project was to develop and test equipment for controlling tillage depth “on-the-go” to match the soil physical parameters, and to determine the effects of site-specific tillage on soil physical properties, energy requirements, and plant responses in cotton production. Site-specific tillage operations reduced fuel consumption by 45% compared to conventional constant-depth tillage. Only 20% of the test field required tillage at recommended depth of 38-cm deep for Coastal Plain soils. Cotton taproot length in the variable-depth tillage plots was 96% longer than those in the no-till plots (39 vs. 19.8 cm). Statistically, there was no difference in cotton lint yield between conventional and the variable-depth tillage. Deep tillage (conventional or variable-rate) increased cotton lint yields by 20% compared to no-till.

The declining Ogallala Aquifer beneath the Southern High Plains may necessitate dryland crop production and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a well-adapted and potentially profitable alternative crop. The limited growing season duration of the Texas Panhandle and southwestern Kansas, however, imposes significant production risk due to incomplete boll maturation. Emphasizing earlier boll production that is usually confined to sites on lower fruiting branches may reduce risk, but offsetting high planting densities are needed to maintain desirable lint yield. Our objectives were to quantify planting: 1) row width and 2) in-row spacing effects on growth, yield, and fiber quality of dryland cotton. Field tests of row widths from 0.25 to 0.76 m and plant densities with in-row spacing ranging from 0.075 to 0.15 m were conducted from 1999 to 2005 on a nearly level Pullman clay loam (fine, mixed, superactive, thermic Torrertic Paleustoll) managed in a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), cotton, fallow (W-Ctn-F) rotation. To expand the basis of comparison, cotton growth and yields were simulated using GOSSYM and long-term (1958-2000) weather records from Bushland, TX, as input for all combinations of 0.38 or 0.76 m row widths and plant spacing of 0.075, 0.10 and 0.15 m. Experimental and computer simulated plant height and harvested boll number increased significantly with increased row spacing and, occasionally, in-row plant spacing. Modeled lint yield for 0.38 m rows decreased by approximately 50% compared with the 582 kg·ha-1 yield for conventional row spacing, which was practically duplicated by field observations in 2001 and 2004. Measured fiber quality occasionally improved with conventional row spacing over ultra-narrow rows, but was unaffected by plant spacing. Because narrow rows and frequent plant spacing did not improve lint yield or fiber quality of dryland cotton, we do not recommend this strategy to overcome a thermally limited growing season.

Controlling for experimental error attributable to field heterogeneity is important in high‐throughput phenotyping studies that enable large numbers of genotypes to be evaluated across time and space. In the current study, we compared the efficacy of different experimental designs and spatial models in the analysis of canopy spectral reflectance data collected on upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Canopy spectral reflectance, as measured by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), was measured at first bloom on three upland cotton performance trials conducted in Florence, SC, during 2014 and 2015. The relative efficiency and estimates of genotype effects were compared among randomized complete block, an α‐lattice incomplete block, row–column incomplete block, nearest neighbor adjusted, and spatially correlated error models. The row–column model provided the greatest improvement in the precision of genotype effect estimates compared with the randomized complete block model. Genotype rankings based on NDVI varied substantially between the randomized complete block and alternative models, particularly at 5 and 10% selection intensities. These results suggest that the use of more complex experimental designs and spatial analyses should be routinely considered to minimize experimental error due to field heterogeneity and improve the precision and reliability of traits measured using high‐throughput phenotyping systems. These findings also indicate that further research into the effects of field heterogeneity on the relationship between NDVI and lint yield in upland cotton is warranted.

Early-season leaf loss due to damage by thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) is considered an important issue by Australian cotton growers. To understand the potential impact of early-season leaf loss in the southern region of New South Wales, we investigated the effects of artificial defoliation on cotton growth, maturity timing and lint yield over four seasons (2013–14 to 2016–17) in commercial cotton crops in the Riverina district. Four defoliation scenarios were investigated: (i) complete defoliation, 100% removal of all true leaves from all plants; (ii) partial defoliation by plant, 100% removal of all true leaves from 75% of plants; (iii) partial defoliation by leaf, removal of 75% of leaf area from all individual true leaves on all plants; and (iv) no defoliation. Defoliation was done by hand at the onset of the 2-, 4-, and 6-node growth stages. Defoliated plants were initially shorter than undefoliated (control) plants, but by ~100-days post seedling emergence, height differences were no longer statistically significant in two of the four seasons. Defoliation did not affect the total number of bolls shortly before harvest. However, complete defoliation delayed crop maturity by up to 18 days and partial defoliation by plant delayed crop maturity by up to 8 days. Because of the delays, fully defoliated plants often had fewer open bolls shortly before harvest and yielded significantly less than undefoliated plants in three of the four seasons. A laboratory experiment with caged cotton seedlings showed that weekly introductions of up to10 thrips per seedling (predominantly onion thrips (Thrips tabaci), the most abundant species on cotton in the region) caused significant clubbing in true leaves, but the total leaf area was not significantly reduced at the 6-node stage. Implications of the results for southern cotton integrated pest management are discussed.