Narrow Row Cotton Research Articles

Liquid nitrogen fertilization on the yield and phenologic variables of narrow-row cotton

Slow-release liquid nitrogen fertilizer sources have been around since 1970. However, this technique is not widely used in the field, probably due to the low cost per ton of nitrogen in the solid form. This study aimed to evaluate the combination of the conventional and slow-release nitrogen fertilization on the yield and phenological variables in a narrow-row cotton crop. Treatments consisted of the combination of the nitrogen fertilizer applied as topdressing in solid form (via soil) and pulverized in the liquid form (via urea formaldehyde - UF): 0% of solid N + 0% of liquid N (0S0L); 100% of solid N + 0% of liquid N (100S0L); 75% of solid N + 25% of liquid N (75S25L); 50% of solid N + 50% of liquid N (50S50L); 25% of solid N + 75% of liquid N (25S75L); e 0% of solid N + 100% of liquid N (0S100L). The cotton crop was phenotypically evaluated at 35, 70, and 130 DAE (Days after emergence) and at the harvest time. The variation between the source of the solid nitrogen fertilizer applied to the soil (ammonium nitrate) and the liquid Nitrogen fertilizer applied by spraying (UF) affects the phenology, physiology, and yield components of the narrow-row cotton crop. The highest yield of the narrow-row cotton crop under the experimental conditions was achieved when 25% of the dose of the solid nitrogen fertilizer was applied as topdressing via soil, and 75% of the dose of the slow-release nitrogen fertilizer was sprayed. This technique provides higher profitability of the produced cotton in relation to the conventional application of the N solid fertilizer via soil.

English

The large scale cultivation of cotton in the Cerrado areas was made possible by large investments in technology, particularly in mechanized harvesting, which makes the business viable. However, the use of harvesters causes qualitative and quantitative losses to the final product, reducing the profitability of production. This study aimed to evaluate the fiber characteristics of narrow row cotton using harvesting Pro-12 VRS picker and stripper. The experiment was conducted on a farm in the municipalities of Sorriso in the 2014 agricultural season. The experimental design was randomized blocks with seven replicates. The treatments consisted of five harvesting systems: Pro-12 VRS picker, finger stripper with and without field cleaner and brush stripper with and without field cleaner. The efficiency of the harvester was quantified by determining the yield and total loss. Impurities in the harvested cotton were quantified by determining the percentage of bark and stem present in the sample. The following technological fiber characteristics were analyzed through the HVI tool: Trash, UHM, SFC, Elg, Mic, +b, Rd, UI and STR. Cotton in hardened management system has less trash content when harvested with the Pro-12 VRS picker. The Pro-12 VRS picker, however, failed to preserve the intrinsic quality of the fiber. Key words: Harvester’s cotton, platforms picker, fiber cotton characteristics. &nbsp

Effects of Tillage and Planting Methods on Narrow and Wide Row Cotton Production

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is an economically important crop for the Southern United States. The southern US also has a long growing season suitable for double cropping a second crop after small grains; however, the harvest date for the small grains typically occurs after the optimum planting window for cotton which reduces yield potential. A relay intercropping system was developed at Clemson University that allows interseeding of cotton into standing wheat 2 to 3 weeks before harvest with interseeded cotton yields similar to the conventional mono-cropped cotton. Therefore, the objectives of this study were 1) to determine the optimum tillage and planting methods for narrow row (76-cm) and wide row (97-cm) cotton, and 2) to compare narrow and wide row systems for conventional tillage cotton, cotton interseeded into standing wheat, and cotton planted into a terminated wheat cover crop on coastal plain soil. Two replicated tests were conducted to accomplish these objectives. In Study 1, conventional narrow row cotton combined with a deep tillage operation using Paratill yielded 23% more than conventional wide row cotton which had a deep tillage operation with a subsoiler just before planting. There were no differences between the conventional (97-cm row spacing) mono-crop and interseeded cotton yields. In Study 2, there was no significant difference in yield between narrow-row and wide-row cotton for each cropping system during the two years study. Both wide and narrow-row full season cotton had significantly higher yields than interseeded and cover crop planting systems in year two of the study. The two conservation cropping practices, wheat used as a cover crop and interseeding, showed considerable promise for reducing energy requirements, soil erosion, and wind-borne cotton damage associated with bare soil in conventional tillage. This research demonstrates the benefits of interseeding and narrow row spacing for sustainable cotton production in coastal plain soils of the Southern United States.

Nitrogen and Potassium in Narrow-Row Cotton

Information on fertilizer management for cotton in narrow-row cropping system is scarce; therefore, studies are needed to improve nutrient stewardship for such systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of nitrogen and potassium application on yield and fiber quality of cotton under a narrow-row system. A field trial was carried out for three years, where the treatments were set up in an incomplete factorial arrangement [(4 × 4) + 1] under a randomized block design, with four N rates (20, 40, 60, and 80 kg ha-1), four K2O rates (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha-1), and one control (no N or K2O), for a total of 17 treatments, with four replicates. Urea and potassium chloride were applied on the soil surface 20 days after crop emergence. Varieties used were FMT 701 (2009/2010 and 2010/2011) and FMT 709 (2011/2012). Cotton yield and fiber quality parameters were measured. In the narrow-row cropping system, cotton lint yield was positively affected by N and K application. Cotton yield in relation to K applications was not dependent on N rates. Potassium application increased the micronaire index and fiber resistance, whereas high N rates reduced fiber resistance.

Épocas de semeadura, cultivares e densidades de plantas para algodão adensado em segunda safra

RESUMO O cultivo de algodoeiro adensado em segunda safra, em ambiente não irrigado, após soja ou feijão, tem aumentado no Cerrado do Centro-Oeste brasileiro. Com essa mudança de época de semeadura, as plantas de algodão estão mais expostas a condições climáticas adversas. Objetivou-se avaliar o efeito de cultivares, densidades de plantas e épocas de semeadura sobre a produção de algodão. Os experimentos foram realizados em três anos consecutivos. Em cada ano, os tratamentos foram constituídos por duas épocas de semeadura (segunda quinzena de janeiro e primeira quinzena de fevereiro), cultivares (ciclo precoce e médio) e densidades de plantas (8,9-33,3 plantas m-2). O algodão foi semeado em segunda safra, após a colheita de soja precoce. Em cada época de semeadura, os experimentos foram instalados no delineamento de blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdivididas, com o fator cultivar disposto na parcela e a densidade na subparcela. A produtividade do algodoeiro em segunda safra foi pouco influenciada pelas densidades de plantas e cultivares. A semeadura tardia do algodoeiro reduziu a altura de plantas, número de capulhos por área e produtividade de fibra. Com o atraso na data de semeadura, a produtividade de fibra diminuiu aproximadamente 25 %, 17 % e 41 %, respectivamente em 2009, 2010 e 2011. O fator mais determinante para o cultivo do algodoeiro em segunda safra é a época de semeadura.

Nitrogen fertilization in narrow row cotton productivity in second harvest

The narrow row cotton grown in the second harvest is presented as an alternative in order to reduce cost of production due to lower cycle. However, nitrogen fertilization in this growing season is little studied. The objective was to evaluate the effect of nitrogen in narrow row cotton crop, grown in second harvest after bean. The experiments were set in a randomized block design with 4 treatments and 5 repetitions in the agricultural years 2009/10 and 2010/11. The treatments consisted of nitrogen application in coverage broad­casted in the form of urea at rates of 60, 80, 100 and 120 kg ha -1 N in two years of cultivation. It was con­cluded that the nitrogen rate of approximately 85 kg ha -1 applied in coverage in narrow row cotton, grown in second season, increases the number of bolls per plant, boll mass and cotton yield productivity. Additional keywords: calibration curve, yield; cultural practices; Gossypium hirsutum L.; Savanna.

EFFECT OF ROW SPACING ON THE YIELD OF COTTON CULTIVARS

ABSTRACT Modern cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars with herbicide resistance have rejuvenated an interest in narrow row cotton production, primarily because of the reduction of weed control problems encountered in the past with narrow row systems. While the primary goal of narrow row cotton is to reduce production costs, an agronomic and physiological evaluation of this cropping system is also needed. The objectives of this study were to determine the feasibility of using modern cotton cultivars in narrow rows (30 cm) for cotton production in the Gonabad and to assess the effect of these various systems on cotton growth, lint yield, and fiber quality. Plant height, sympodia and total bolls per plant were reduced in cotton grown in narrow row spacing. In most cases, cotton grown in narrow rows had lint yields equal to or higher than those attained in the 70 cm spacing. modern cultivars in narrow row cotton production did not improve lint yield. No conclusions could be made regarding the impact of plant stature on lint yield. Row spacing had little impact on fiber quality narrow row cotton appeared to be a viable agronomic cotton production practice for the Gonabad compared with conventionally - grown cotton based upon lint yield and fiber quality.

Water, sediment, and metolachlor transport differences between wide- and narrow-row cotton production systems

Planting cotton (Gossypium hirsutum [L.]) in narrow rather than wide rows could reduce erosion and off-site agrochemical transport, but this hypothesis needs to be evaluated under midsouth cropping conditions. Field studies were conducted near Stoneville, Mississippi, on a Dundee silty clay loam in 2006 and 2007 to evaluate sediment, water, and metolachlor (2-chloro-N-[2-ethyl-6-methylphenyl]-N-[2-methoxy-1-methylethyl] acetamide) loss in narrow (38 cm [15 in]) and wide-row (102 cm [40 in]) cotton. One day after a postemergence metolachlor application over four- to six-leaf stage cotton, 60 mm h−1 (2.4 in hr−1) of simulated rainfall was applied until 25 min of runoff was generated per plot. Sediment loss, regardless of year, was at least 38% lower from narrow-row than wide-row cotton. Depending on year, planting cotton on narrow rows either had no effect or reduced cumulative runoff by 25%, compared to the wide-row system. Cumulative metolachlor loss was 27% higher in narrow-row relative to wide-row cotton in 2006, but the trend was reversed in 2007. Our results indicate that nearly flat seedbeds in narrow-row systems can reduce sediment loss relative to wide-row cotton planted on slightly raised seedbeds. Moreover, planting cotton in narrow rows rather than wide rows may reduce the loss of metolachlor applied postemergence if cumulative runoff is reduced in the narrow-row system and factors governing mixing-zone pesticide concentrations are similar between row spacings, primarily canopy coverage, and antecedent soil moisture conditions.

Row spacing, tillage system, and herbicide technology affects cotton plant growth and yield

Cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) producers are faced with numerous production choices including cotton varieties, herbicide technology, tillage systems, and row spacing. A study was conducted to compare cotton production across conventional, glyphosate-tolerant, and glufosinate-tolerant varieties in both conventional and conservation tillage systems for standard row (102 cm) and narrow row (38 cm) cotton planting patterns. The experiment was conducted during the 2004–2006 growing seasons at the Field Crops Unit, E.V. Smith Research Center, near Shorter, AL in long-term tillage plots. Data collection included plant populations within row spacings, plant biomass and height at 1st square, mid-bloom, and lint yields. Plant biomass measured at 1st square and mid-bloom was affected by growing season with 38 cm cotton plant biomass averaging 34% greater in 2004 and 2005, however, the effect of tillage system was contradictory within the growing season. Mid-bloom plant biomass also varied across growing seasons with 21% more plant biomass recorded in 38 cm rows averaged across all three growing seasons. Plant heights were shorter for 38 cm cotton compared to 102 cm cotton, regardless of growth stage or tillage system. No differences in cotton development were observed across varieties. Cotton planted in 38 cm rows yielded equivalent to 102 cm cotton during two of the three experimental years and was superior to 102 cm cotton the remaining year, which corresponded to the best growing season observed during the experimental period. These results indicate that 38 cm cotton production can produce yields that are at least equivalent to standard 102 cm cotton, despite differences in plant development. The productivity of a narrow row cotton production system may be attractive to some growers, but economic evaluations are required to determine if the system is profitable on a large scale based on equivalent or marginal lint yield increases.

Effects of Population Density and Nitrogen Rate in Ultra Narrow Row Cotton

A field study was conducted to investigate the effects of population density and nitrogen rate on yield, growth, and fiber response of ultra narrow row (UNR) cotton. Stand loss occurred at densities greater than 22 plants <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mtext>m</mml:mtext><mml:mrow><mml:mo>&#x2212;</mml:mo><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> and nitrogen rates greater than 56&#x2009;kg&#x2009;<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mtext>ha</mml:mtext></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>&#x2212;</mml:mo><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> and stand loss exceeded 20&#37; at harvest. Seed cotton yields were similar across populations and rates of 56, 112, and 168&#x2009;kg&#x2009;<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mtext>ha</mml:mtext></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>&#x2212;</mml:mo><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math>. Nitrogen rates greater than 56&#x2009;kg&#x2009;<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mtext>ha</mml:mtext></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>&#x2212;</mml:mo><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> resulted in greater vegetative growth based on increased plant height and number of nodes. These results indicate that populations of 22 plants <mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mtext>m</mml:mtext><mml:mrow><mml:mo>&#x2212;</mml:mo><mml:mn>2</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> and nitrogen rates of 56&#x2009;kg&#x2009;<mml:math xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML"><mml:mrow><mml:msup><mml:mrow><mml:mtext>ha</mml:mtext></mml:mrow><mml:mrow><mml:mo>&#x2212;</mml:mo><mml:mn>1</mml:mn></mml:mrow></mml:msup></mml:mrow></mml:math> were sufficient for maximum yields in UNR cotton under our conditions. However, at higher nitrogen rates, boll formation increased at lower nodes with no corresponding change in yield. Higher nitrogen rates may promote earliness and distribute yield across more fruiting sites.

How Management of Grass Hedges Affects their Erosion Reduction Potential

Grass hedges are specialized vegetative buffers effective in trapping sediment. Information is needed on how the effectiveness of grass hedges changes over time after planting, and in response to hedge clipping management. Erosion from natural rainfall was measured during 13 yr after establishing single‐row (eventually growing to be 1 m wide) miscanthus (Miscanthus sinensis Andersson) hedges at the lower end of erosion plots (21 m long, 5% slope) in a replicated study involving conventional tillage (CT) and no‐till (NT) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) grown on silt loam soils (Typic Fragiudalfs) in Holly Springs, MS. Sediment yield values from plots with and without grass hedges were analyzed with reference to the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to determine the conservation support practice (“P” factor) for sediment yield, which is the fractional reduction in sediment yield due to the presence of the grass hedge. The “P” factor of grass hedges was found to be about 0.5 in the establishment year and to decrease progressively with time for CT cotton. The “P” factor for grass hedges averaged 0.23 for CT wide‐row cotton and 0.12 for ultra narrow row (UNR) cotton studied with older hedges. “P” factors for NT were higher, averaging 0.5 for wide‐row cotton and 0.65 for UNR cotton, perhaps reflecting a finer eroded sediment size distribution. Comparison of several methods of estimating hedge effectiveness showed that while observed monthly rainfall effects on soil erosion were not fully explained by the EI30 term used in RUSLE, fitting more complex statistical models to the data did not appreciably alter estimates of fractional sediment yield reduction due to grass hedges. The results of this study demonstrated that during extreme events, hedge effectiveness was enhanced (“P” was lowered) by management that allowed accumulation of hedge clippings upslope of the hedges. However, for freshly tilled conditions, “P” values for 7‐yr old hedges varied from 0.2 for monthly rainfall = 100 mm to 0.35 for monthly rainfall = 400 mm even when all residues were removed.

Plant Responses of Ultra Narrow Row Cotton to Nitrogen Fertilization

ABSTRACT Recent developments in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production technology in the Mississippi River Delta region include drill planting cotton. Production systems that include drill planting cotton are referred to as ultra narrow row (UNR). Ultra narrow row cotton production is a low input system designed to maximize economic returns. Cotton grown under UNR systems is generally lower yielding and lower returning than conventionally spaced cotton, but the inputs and input costs are also generally reduced compared to conventionally spaced cotton production systems. Studies were conducted for five location-years in southeastern and northeastern Arkansas to determine the optimum N-fertilizer rate for UNR cotton. Plant maturity was estimated using nodes above white flower (NAWF) measurements. The NAWF indicated that greater nitrogen (N)-rates delayed maturity of the crop, although differences were not always significant. Lint yields were significantly different in only three of five location-years. Yield responses of UNR cotton tended to maximize with N-treatments between 56 and 84 kg N ha− 1 when significant differences were observed. Plant height, similar to lint yield, was significantly different due to N-treatments in three out of five location-years, and generally increased with increasing N-fertilization up to 112 kg N ha− 1. Boll load was significantly influenced by N-fertilization in only two of five location years. In these two instances, 84 kg N ha− 1 was sufficient to maximize boll load. Boll weight, a component of yield, was determined in the southern Arkansas location only. Significant differences in boll weight due to N-fertilization were found in only two of four years. Boll weight generally increased with increasing N-fertilization.

Effect of Row Spacing on Weed Management in Glufosinate-resistant Cotton

Transgenic, herbicide-resistant cultivars and equipment to spindle-pick 38-cm rows has renewed interest in narrow-row cotton production. Field experiments were conducted at four locations in North Carolina during 2004 and 2005 to evaluate weed management systems in glufosinate-resistant cotton planted in 38- and 97-cm rows. Weeds included broadleaf signalgrass, goosegrass, fall panicum, large crabgrass, Palmer amaranth, smooth pigweed, pitted morningglory, and tall morningglory. Greater than 90% control of annual grasses and Amaranthus spp. in 2004 and Ipomoea spp. in both years was obtained in narrow-row cotton with glufosinate applied early POST (EPOST) and mid-POST (MPOST) to two- and six-leaf cotton, respectively. With good early-season control by glufosinate and rapid canopy closure, there was little benefit from pendimethalin, fluometuron, or pyrithiobac applied PRE, S-metolachlor or pyrithiobac mixed with glufosinate applied MPOST, or trifloxysulfuron applied late POST (LPOST) to 11-leaf cotton in ...

Response of Ultra–Narrow and Conventional Spaced Cotton to Variable Nitrogen Rates

Insufficient nitrogen (N) uptake in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) has been shown to delay maturity and decrease lint yields, while excessive amounts will cause a host of disadvantages, ranging from increased insect damage to defoliation difficulties. Proper nitrogen fertilization rates are therefore essential to maximizing lint production while minimizing input costs. This test was designed to determine if ultra–narrow row cotton (UNRC) has similar nitrogen requirements as conventional row cotton (CRC). Two sites, one in peanuts and the other fallow the previous growing season, and four nitrogen rates (45, 67, 90, and 112 kg N ha−1) were used to compare soil fertility and nitrogen effects on petiole nitrate concentrations, lint yields, and ginning percentages. Although petiole nitrate concentrations between early and peak bloom were lower in ultra–narrow row cotton with 45 and 67 kg N ha−1, there was no correlation between petiole nitrate concentrations and lint yield. Conventional spacing receiving 67 kg N ha−1 had the highest lint production at both locations, while application of 90 kg N ha−1 produced the highest yields in UNRC at both locations. Ultra–narrow row cotton produced numerically higher yields than conventional row at all nitrogen rates at the location without a previous legume crop, but no significant trend was observed. Ultra–narrow row cotton lint percentages were significantly lower than conventional spacing, independent of nitrogen application rate.

Using a subsurface drip irrigation system to measure crop water use

Procedures are presented for determining crop water use and crop coefficients for a row crop, using a neutron scattering probe with an efficient subsurface drip irrigation system. One procedure is called the slope-projection method, and the other is called a covariance procedure. Field tests were conducted with full-season, narrow-row cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) on a well-drained, sandy soil in a semiarid environment over a 5-year period. The goal was to improve automated irrigation scheduling, by relating evapotranspiration (ET) to growing degree days (GDD). The result, using a Penman–Monteith reference ET, was an average midseason crop coefficient of 1.11, with a standard error of 0.056. With class A pan evaporation as the reference ET, the average midseason crop coefficient was 0.877, with a standard error of 0.029. A fifth-order polynomial for the pan-based crop coefficient as a function of GDD was programmed into a controller and used successfully to irrigate a field automatically for one season.

Overview of Ultra Narrow Row Cotton

Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences EducationVolume 31, Issue 1 p. 70-72 Third Place Student Essay Overview of Ultra Narrow Row Cotton Jeff Lentz, Corresponding Author Jeff Lentz jms@mail.pss.okstate.edu c/o J. Shaver, Dep. of Plant and Soil Science, 368 Ag. Hall, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK, 74074Search for more papers by this author Jeff Lentz, Corresponding Author Jeff Lentz jms@mail.pss.okstate.edu c/o J. Shaver, Dep. of Plant and Soil Science, 368 Ag. Hall, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, OK, 74074Search for more papers by this author First published: 2002 https://doi.org/10.2134/jnrlse.2002.0070AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume31, Issue12002Pages 70-72 RelatedInformation

THREE–YEAR COMPARISON OF CONVENTIONAL AND ULTRA NARROW ROW COTTON PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

The introduction of transgenic cultivars, with resistance to certain herbicides has greatly increased interest in acotton production system commonly referred to as ultra narrow row. A threeyear study designed to evaluate this system wasconducted at the University of Arkansas Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser from 1995 through 1997. Thestudy compared cotton grown in 19cm rows and harvested with a stripper (ultra narrow row) to cotton produced in 97cmrows and harvested with a spindle picker (conventional). The plants in the ultra narrow row system were shorter than in theconventional system. Higher seed cotton yields were observed for the ultra narrow row system two of the three years, but lintyield was higher in only one year due to lower gin turnout. Several of the High Volume Instrument (HVI) fiber properties ofthe commercially ginned lint varied among the three years, but only micronaire was significantly affected by the productionsystem, consistently lower for the ultra narrow row cotton. Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) analysis of thecommercially ginned lint indicated more visible foreign matter, higher short fiber content, and higher immature fiber contentwith the ultra narrow row system. In addition, the lint from the ultra narrow row system contained more trash and dust thanfrom conventionally produced cotton. Fixed costs (equipment) were lower for the ultra narrow row system, but higher seedand seed treatment costs made overall production costs higher. Breakeven prices for both systems were below the Arkansasseason average price two of the three years, suggesting a potential for profit.

Weed Management in Ultra Narrow Row Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum)1

Abstract: New weed management tools and growth regulators make production of ultra narrow row (UNR) cotton possible. Weed control, cotton yield, fiber quality, and net returns were compared in UNR bromoxynil-resistant, glyphosate-resistant, and nontransgenic cotton. Weeds included broadleaf signalgrass, carpetweed, common cocklebur, common lambsquarters, common ragweed, goosegrass, jimsonweed, large crabgrass, Palmer amaranth, pitted morningglory, prickly sida, sicklepod, smooth pigweed, and tall morningglory. Pendimethalin preplant incorporated (PPI) in conventional-tillage or preemergence (PRE) in no-till systems plus fluometuron PRE did not adequately control many of these weeds. Pyrithiobac plus MSMA early postemergence (POST) often was more effective than pyrithiobac alone. Pendimethalin plus fluometuron at planting followed by pyrithiobac plus MSMA early POST controlled sicklepod 82%, goosegrass 89%, Palmer amaranth 92%, and the other species at least 95% late season. Pyrithiobac at mid-POST did not...

Water Management of Trickle and Furrow Irrigated Narrow Row Cotton in the San Joaquin Valley

TRICKLE and furrow irrigation were used on three field experiments on water management with narrow row (0.5 m) cotton. The experiments were conducted in the California San Joaquin Valley on Panoche clay loam soil from 1981 through 1983. The trickle irrigation regimes varied from two irrigations per week to one irrigation/2 weeks. The furrow irrigation regimes varied from no postplant irrigations to three seasonal irrigations. Lint yields ranged from 601 to 2,145 kg/ha. Total water application amounts (preplant and seasonal irrigations plus effective precipitation) of at least 650 mm were necessary to maximize lint production with the narrow rows at this location. Evapotranspiration was between 650 and 700 mm for maximum lint yields of 2,000 kg/ha. When verticillium wilt was not present, the lint yield of two newer Acala varieties (SJC-1 and DPL-90) was not better than the standard Acala variety (SJ-2). Trickle irrigation may reduce soil evaporation losses by as much as 75 to 100 mm when the irrigation tubing is spaced 2.0 m apart. No lint yield differences between trickle and furrow irrigation methods were found for narrow row cotton when irrigation management resulted in minimum soil water deficits.

Economic feasibility of narrow row spindle picker cotton

Agronomic research has shown that cotton grown on narrower rows (30 in) can exhibit a positive yield response when compared to conventionally spaced rows (40 in). While narrow row cotton can easily be harvested with a stripper harvester, spindle pickers are not currently available with that capability. Recently, several independent producers devised a conversion procedure to allow a standard spindle picker to harvest 30-in row cotton. This economic feasibility study of such a conversion indicates that narrow row cotton can produce a higher and more stable net return than conventionally spaced cotton when harvested with a converted spindle picker. This applies to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and can be extended to other areas which produce long staple cotton that requires spindle picking.