Sustainable Cotton Production Research Articles

Managing Environmental and Operational Risks for Sustainable Cotton Production Logistics: System Dynamics Modelling for a Textile Company

Effective management of cotton production logistics (CPL) against volatile environmental conditions while maintaining product quality and yield at acceptable costs has become challenging due to increasing global population and consumption and climate change. In CPL, the harvesting, processing, and storage of cotton are all linked, prone to various environmental risks (e.g., flooding) and operational risks (e.g., excess spraying of pesticides). Thus, it is crucial for a resilient and sustainable supply chain management to prioritize risks and chart suitable risk response strategies. For a CPL, we employ a system dynamics (SD) approach to investigate the likelihoods of environmental and operational risks and their impacts in four dimensions: variable costs, fixed costs, quality performance, and yield. Using the case of a textile company in Turkey, we demonstrate an end-to-end framework for mitigating CPL risks. SD simulation results show that increases in seed prices and machine and equipment breakdowns are the risks that most affect the unit cost, whereas pests and plant diseases most hurt cotton harvest yield. Via scenario analyses, we demonstrate that a proper risk response strategy, compared to doing nothing, may reduce variance in cotton quality by about 35% at the expense of about an 11% increase in unit cost variability.

Morpho-physiological and molecular characterization of drought tolerance traits in Gossypium hirsutum genotypes under drought stress.

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting lint yield and fibre quality in cotton. With increase in population, degrading natural resources and frequent drought occurrences, development of high yielding, drought tolerant cotton cultivars is critical for sustainable cotton production across countries. Six Gossypium hirsutum genotypes identified for drought tolerance, wider adaptability and better fibre quality traits were characterized for various morpho-physiological and biochemical characters and their molecular basis was investigated under drought stress. Under drought conditions, genotypes revealed statistically significant differences for all the morpho-physiological and biochemical traits. The interaction (genotype × treatment) effects were highly significant for root length, excised leaf water loss and cell membrane thermostability indicating differential interaction of genotypes under control and stress conditions. Correlation studies revealed that under drought stress, relative water content had significant positive correlation with root length and root-to-shoot ratio while it had significant negative correlation with excised leaf water loss, epicuticular wax, proline, potassium and total soluble sugar content. Analysis of expression of fourteen drought stress related genes under water stress indicated that both ABA dependent and ABA independent mechanisms of drought tolerance might be operating differentially in the studied genotypes. IC325280 and LRA5166 exhibited ABA mediated expression of stress responsive genes and traits. Molecular basis of drought tolerance in IC357406, Suraj, IC259637 and CNH 28I genotypes could be attributed to ABA independent pathway. Based on physiological phenotyping, the genotypes IC325280 and IC357406 were identified to possess better root traits and LRA5166 was found to have enhanced cellular level tolerance. Variety Suraj exhibited good osmotic adjustment and better root traits to withstand water stress. The identified drought component trait(s) in specific genotypes would pave way for their pyramiding through marker assisted cotton breeding.

Responses of Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Lines to Irrigated and Rainfed Conditions of Texas High Plains.

Understanding drought stress responses and the identification of phenotypic traits associated with drought are key factors in breeding for sustainable cotton production in limited irrigation water of semi-arid environments. The objective of this study was to evaluate the responses of upland cotton lines to rainfed and irrigated conditions. We compared selected agronomic traits over time, final yield and fiber quality of cotton lines grown in irrigated and rainfed trials. Under rainfed conditions, the average number of squares per plant sharply declined during weeks 10 to 14 while the average number of bolls per plant significantly reduced during weeks 13 to 15 after planting. Therefore, weeks 10 to 14 and weeks 13 to 15 are critical plant growth stages to differentiate among upland cotton lines for square and boll set, respectively, under drought stress. Variation in square and boll set during this stage may translate into variable lint percent, lint yield and fiber properties under water-limited conditions. Lint yield and fiber quality were markedly affected under rainfed conditions in all cotton lines tested. Despite significantly reduced lint yield in rainfed trials, some cotton lines including 11-21-703S, 06-46-153P, CS 50, L23, FM 989 and DP 491 performed relatively well under stress compared to other cotton lines. The results also reveal that cotton lines show variable responses for fiber properties under irrigated and rainfed trials. Breeding line 12-8-103S produced long, uniform and strong fibers under both irrigated and rainfed conditions. The significant variation observed among cotton genotypes for agronomic characteristics, yield and fiber quality under rainfed conditions indicate potential to breed cotton for improved drought tolerance.

Tillage Effects on Cotton Performance and Soil Quality in an Irrigated Arid Cropping System

Reducing tillage has become necessary in irrigated, arid cropping systems in southwestern USA, to address soil degradation and erosion problems associated with intensive soil tillage. A study was conducted in arid southwestern USA, to compare a reduced tillage method (strip tillage) to two conventional tillage methods (plow tillage and raised bed tillage) for irrigated upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) production. Strip tillage (ST) was established in a single pass by a strip tillage equipment, while the plow tillage (PT) consisted of plowing, disking the soil twice, subsoiling and harrowing. The raised bed tillage (BT) consisted of all the tillage operations under PT method, with an additional tillage event to shape the beds. Crop and soil parameters were assessed during the growing seasons. Soil physical and biological measurements were assessed at the beginning of the trial before planting, and at the end of each cropping season. Results show no significant differences in cotton yield and fiber quality parameters under the tillage systems tested. Out of the soil physical measurements assessed, the cone index (CI) significantly differed with tillage systems during the mid-season assessments, with BT generally having better CI than ST and PT. Other physical measurements were not significant with tillage, but significantly declined over time irrespective of tillage treatments. Out of the soil biological measurements assessed, the total fungal biomass and the arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi biomass were significant with tillage, with ST and BT having higher measurements than PT. In contrast to soil physical measurements that declined, most of the soil biological measurements improved over time. Comparing some soil biological measurements at the beginning to the end of the trial across the tillage treatments, the total microbial biomass increased from 714 to 3565 ng/g, the total bacterial biomass increased from 321 to 1478 ng/g, and the total fungal biomass increased from 84 to 436 ng/g. This study shows that ST can perform adequately for sustainable cotton production in an irrigated arid region of United States.

An Overview of factors affecting on cotton production

Cotton is well prominent as “white gold” an important cash and precious crop in overall cotton growing development counties. The yield of this crop is depending upon the environment in which it is grown and management practices of the cropping system. It is noted after review of various publications of scientists that several factors are responsible which affecting cotton production, selection of cultivar should be according to environment in which it is grown, soil preparation, seed rate, plant spacing, sowing/planting dates and timely irrigation are the important factors which effect on yield. Whereas, nutrients management and crop protections are the key factors which directly affecting the plant growth and development ultimately directly responsible for decreasing yield. Along with these factors modern technology and farmer’s education play a vital role for producing quality cotton production and management of farms. Therefore, suggested that farmers should apply better management practices and follow proper time management as per practices and apply timely appropriate inputs for crop growth and development and crop protection measures for sustainable cotton production.

Effects of drought on agronomic and fiber quality in an introgressed backcross inbred line population of Upland cotton under field conditions

Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) is the most important fiber crop and an important oilseed crop in the world. Developing drought tolerant cultivars is important to sustainable cotton production in arid and semi-arid regions. However, there is a lack of information on genetic variation for drought tolerance in breeding populations. In this study, a backcross inbred line (BIL) Upland population with germplasm introgression from a more drought-tolerant American Pima cotton (G. barbadense) parent was evaluated in multiple field environments under well-watered (WW) and water-limited (WL) conditions at the flowering stage. Drought at the flowering stage reduced seedcotton yield (SCY), lint yield (LY), boll weight (BW), fiber length (FL), and fiber strength (STR) but increased lint percentage (LP), micronaire (MIC), neps per size, nep per gram, seedcoat nep size, and seed coat fragment count by gram. Significant genetic differences in the BIL population were detected for most agronomic and fiber quality traits and drought susceptibility index (DSI) for these traits. DSI of SCY and LY ranged from 0.01 to 1.5 and 0.1–1.45, respectively, reflecting the tolerance level of the BILs under WL conditions. The broad-sense heritability estimates were moderate for most agronomic traits and moderate to high for most fiber quality traits. Results indicated that highly positive correlation was detected for agronomic and fiber quality traits between WW and WL conditions, with the highest correlations for SCY, LY, UHM, SCY, and MIC. Promising BILs with drought tolerance were identified. This study has provided a line of evidence that field drought tolerance was transferred from the more drought tolerant Pima line to Upland cotton.

Soil conditions affect cotton root distribution and cotton yield under mulched drip irrigation

Film-mulched drip irrigation with brackish water has been used widely for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in arid regions. Full consideration of the promise of brackish water irrigation requires consideration of the dependence of cotton root characteristics on soil conditions. To date, these dependences are complex and poorly understood. The present study compared the impacts of soil temperature, water and salinity on root characteristics on cotton yield for brackish water irrigation treatment (BWT) and fresh water irrigation treatment (FWT). Spatial differences were observed for cotton root mass, root length, root surface-area and root volume distribution that corresponded with differences in the distributions of soil conditions. There existed a strikingly linear relationship between cotton root length and root mass. Soil temperature did not exert clear control on root system growth. Lower average root density and coarser roots were observed for BWT than for FWT as a result of the reduced soil temperature and the elevated soil salinity associated with BWT. Cotton shoot growth was more sensitive than root growth to salt stress for BWT. Higher root density and fine root proportion for FWT than BWT led to higher cotton yield. That is, more cotton roots were observed in the shallow mulched zone, which corresponded with high root water uptake rate and salt accumulation. Our study indicated that the easily-measured cotton root mass could be used as a practical surrogate for root length under mulched drip irrigation. Subsurface drip irrigation with drip tapes set in the shallow mulched zone may further promote cotton root system growth, allowing for sustainable cotton production with brackish water irrigation.

Assessing the Impacts of Future Climate on Cotton Production in the Arizona Low Desert

HighlightsCotton yield was reduced significantly under projected future climate conditions for the Arizona low desert (ALD). Of all the weather variables, yield reduction was primarily due to projected increases in daily maximum and minimum air temperatures.Cotton reproductive stages were more susceptible to heat stress than vegetative stages. Projected increases in air temperature may result in a slight increase in cotton growth or biomass production; however, heat stress significantly reduced fruit retention, leading to lower boll number and yield.Although future increases in CO2 may improve plant growth and productivity, the potential benefit of CO2 fertilization on cotton growth and yield in the ALD was offset by the projected increase in air temperature.The projected average seasonal irrigation requirement increased by at least 10%. This suggests that greater demand for freshwater withdrawal for agriculture can be expected in the future. Therefore, given the projected change in future climate, cotton cultivars tolerant of longer periods of high air temperature, changes in planting dates, and improved management practices for higher water productivity are critical needs for sustainable cotton production in the ALD.Abstract. Cotton is an important crop in Arizona, with a total cash value of approximately $200 million for fiber and cottonseed in 2018. In recent years, heat stress from increasing air temperature has reduced cotton productivity in the Arizona low desert (ALD); however, the effects of future climate on ALD cotton production have not been studied. In this study, the DSSAT CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model was used to simulate the effects of future climate on cotton growth, yield, and water use in the ALD area. Projected climate forcings for the ALD were obtained from nine global climate models under two representative concentration pathways (RCP 4.5 and 8.5). Cotton growth, yield, and water use were simulated for mid-century (2036 to 2065) and late century (2066 to 2095) and compared to the baseline (1980 to 2005). Results indicated that seed cotton yield was reduced by at least 40% and 51% by mid-century and late century, respectively, compared to the baseline. Of all the weather variables, the seasonal average maximum (R2 = 0.72) and minimum (R2 = 0.80) air temperatures were most correlated with yield reductions. Under the future climate conditions of the ALD, cotton growth or biomass accumulation slightly increased compared to the baseline. Irrigation requirements in the ALD increased by at least 10% and 14% by mid-century and late century, respectively. Increases in irrigation requirements were due to an increase in crop water use; hence, greater demand for freshwater withdrawal for agricultural purposes is anticipated in the future. Therefore, cotton cultivars that are tolerant of long periods of high air temperature and improved management practices that promote efficient crop water use are critical for future sustainability of cotton production in the ALD. Keywords: . Arid region, CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton, Future climate, Gossypium hirsutum L., Heat stress, Irrigation demand.

Impact of Better Management Practices on Sustainable Cotton Production: Evidence from South Punjab

The basic purpose of this study was to look at the position of Better Management Practices (BMPs) of cotton crop in order to reduce the burden on our natural scarce resources. Relevant information was taken from 150 respondents from the district Khanewal, Punjab. The results of this study revealed that the education level and landholding size of respondents have a positive impact on the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices. While the farmer’s age and farming experience were found a negative impact on BMPs adoption rate. Similarly, contact of respondents with the staff of farmer’s field schools and the number of visits of farmer’s field school staff were found positively correlated to BMPs adoption rate. The results of the regression analysis revealed the impact of different agriculture inputs and BMPs on cotton yield. The results showed that the age of the farmers, education, fertilizer, irrigations, water scouting, cotton area, farmyard manure, and hybrid seed variety and sowing method had a positive sign while the sign of pesticide coefficient was negative. The gross margins of BMPs adopter and non-adopter were 45,955 PKR and 28,790 PKR per acre respectively. The model also indicated that the production function fits well with the given data set. Therefore, the results of this study conveyed policy messages for the private and public organizations to promote BMPs for the betterment of the farming community.

Environmental and economic impacts of better cotton: a panel data analysis.

Better cotton is introduced with the aim of a reduction in the use of environmentally detrimental farm inputs in order to attain sustainable cotton production. The present study is designed to assess the environmental and economic effects of better cotton in Pakistan using panel data comprising of two cropping seasons, 2015 and 2016. Panel methods were used in the present study. Findings show that better cotton increases the gross margin by 37% and yield by 9%, whereas it results in decreasing seed rate by 6%, fertilizers by 7%, pesticides by 7%, and irrigation by 14%. Since better cotton involves more labor use due to higher yield, labor increases by 3%. The study concludes that better cotton is more economically and environmentally sustainable than conventional cotton. The study suggests that public private partnership will be a good strategy to diffuse better cotton technologies among the farming communities.

Vulnerability of cotton subjected to hail damage.

This paper establishes the quantitative relationships between hail fall parameters and crop damages by examining the impacts of 49 hail hazard scenarios on cotton in the bud stage and boll stage. This study utilizes simulated cotton hail hazard to analyze the following data: hail size, hail fall density, and crop damages (i.e., defoliation rate, branch breaking rate, and the fruit falling rate). The results are as follows: 1) cotton vulnerability increased via an increase in crop damages as the hail hazard magnitude increased; 2) crop damages exhibit significant logistic relationships with hail diameter and hail fall density, and the fit was better at the bud stage than at the boll stage; 3) cotton is more vulnerable to hail hazard at the bud stage than at the boll stage, and the bud stage is a critical period for cotton hail disaster prevention and mitigation; and 4) damages to cotton plant at the bud stage and boll stage were less sensitive to hail size from hail fall density. Thus, we suggest that hail diameter can be used as the priority indicator to predict hail-induced crop damages. These results provide a sound basis for developing a comprehensive evaluation of hail damage in cotton, which is crucial for promoting sustainable cotton production. We recommend that the impacts of hail-induced crop damages on yield and fiber quality need to be addressed further in future studies.

Mepiquat chloride effects on potassium acquisition and functional leaf physiology as well as lint yield in highly dense late-sown cotton

Incredible accomplishments have been achieved in agricultural production in China, but many demanding challenges for ensuring sustainable cotton production remain. An efficient cropping model characterized with late sowing, higher density and low fertilizer application is a promising alternative to cope with the present high cost cotton production. However, it is not confirm that mepiquat chloride (MC) application is still required in this new planting model. We hypothesized that MC application might reduce lint yield and thus not be necessary in this new system. A 2-year (2015–2016) field experiment was performed to test this hypothesis in which cotton was planted in mid-May at 10 plants m−2 and with single fertilizer application (225 kg N ha-1). MC was sprayed thrice with 5 leaf intervals initiated from the 6th leaf stage in 5 different dosages i.e. 0 (control), 30, 60, 90, and 120 g ha-1. Morphological attributes viz. plant height, main stem diameter, number of fruiting branches, main stem nodes, main stem green leaves and main stem internode length were evidently reduced by 9–40%, 2–13%, 2–11%, 4–27%, 6–24% and 3–19%, respectively. Cotton potassium accumulation was not significantly influenced; specifically the uptake in reproductive organs from MC0 to MC120 of 45 to 44 kg K ha-1 in MC treated plants averaged across two years. Photosynthesis was reduced by 1–26% due to diminished Rubisco activity by 3–37% in MC treated plants and lint yield decreased by 5–27% as MC dosage increased. Furthermore, alpha amylase, beta amylase and total amylase activities were decreased by 2–16%, 3–19% and 1–17% but sucrose transformation rate was increased in the 4th functional leaf from the apex, respectively. Our data suggest that increased accumulation of sucrose and starch in the leaf with reduced photosynthesis, Rubisco and amylase activity could explain the yield loss. Conclusively, MC application is not needed for this new cotton planting model in Yangtze River Valley of China.

Neonicotinoid Insecticide Resistance in Tobacco Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) of Mississippi.

Insecticidal efficacy of neonicotinoid insecticides used against tobacco thrips, Frankliniella fusca (Hinds) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), in cotton, Gossypium hirisutum L. (Malvales: Malvaceae), was evaluated for field populations collected in Mississippi during 2014-2016. Resistance was documented in 16 and 57% of populations to imidacloprid and thiamethoxam, respectively. Resistance levels did not vary by host plant for any neonicotinoid, but resistance levels varied between the two main agricultural areas (Delta and Hills) of Mississippi and among years for some neonicotinoids. In spite of documented resistance, neonicotinoid seed treatments are still used on cotton in the midsouthern United States due to the lack of reliable alternative management strategies. The development of alternative thrips management strategies is critical to the sustainability of cotton production in the midsouthern United States.

Removal of early fruit branches as potential regulator of Cry1Ac, antioxidants, senescence and yield in Bt. cotton

Excessive use of insecticides, degradation of Cry1Ac protein, insect resistance and premature senescence in cotton are serious threats to the sustainable cotton production. An experiment was conducted to manage these adversities and to determine dependence of morphological attribute on physiochemical responses. Experiments were conducted at University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan over two years (2015, 2016) and two locations. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design under factorial arrangement. Treatments were comprised of branch removal viz. R0 = No removal of early fruit branches; R1 = Removal of two early fruit branches (REFB) and genotypes V1 = MNH-886 and V2 = FH-142. Results revealed that Cry1Ac (33%) and nitrogen concentration (16%) were increased under REFB compared to no REFB over years and locations. Chlorophyll a and b contents were improved by 11 and 6% under REFB compared to no REFB over two localities and years. While, SOD, POD and CAT activities were increased by 13, 13 and 10%, respectively under REFB compared to no REFB. Nodes above white flower (5 days), nodes for first fruiting branch and seed cotton yield were enhanced by 14, 15 and 17%, respectively under REFB compared to no REFB over years and locations. Number of insect damaged bolls were decreased by 28% under REFB compared to control over years and locations. More promising responses were recorded for MNH-886 compared to FH-142 over REFB, years and locations. Conclusively, all physiochemical and agronomic attributes were improved, and senescence and insect attack were decreased in both genotypes over the spatial and temporal variations. Significant and strong correlation of physiochemical attributes with morphological attributes were recorded over years and locations.

GhUMC1, a blue copper-binding protein, regulates lignin synthesis and cotton immune response

Verticillium wilt caused by the soil-borne fungus Verticillium dahliae is a serious problem for the sustainable production of cotton. The mechanism of cotton resistance to V. dahliae is unclear, which makes it is difficult to improve cotton resistance breeding. In this study, we characterized an umecyanin-like gene GhUMC1 in cotton, which is homologous to the AtBCB gene in Arabidopsis. It is predominantly expressed in roots and responds to pathogen infection. Knock-down of GhUMC1 increases plant susceptibility to V. dahliae. Expression levels of genes in the JA and SA signaling pathways in roots were down-regulated in GhUMC1-silenced plants. The transcripts of lignin synthesis genes, such as C4H, HCT, CCoAOMT and CAD, were also decreased in GhUMC1 knock-down seedlings, as was lignin content. Interestingly, knock-down of the GhUMC1 also decreased the contents of H202 compared with the control. Our results suggest that GhUMC1 is involved in cotton resistance to V. dahliae by the regulation of the JA signaling pathway and lignin metabolism.

Effects of reduced nitrogen rate on cotton yield and nitrogen use efficiency as mediated by application mode or plant density

Nitrogen (N) fertilization plays an important role in yield formation of field-grown cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), but little is known of its interaction with mode of application or plant density under irrigated production. Our objective was to determine the effects of N application rate on cotton yield, leaf senescence and N use efficiency as mediated by mode of application and plant density. To achieve this goal, two field experiments which were conducted from 2015 to 2016 using a split-plot design in randomized complete blocks. In the first experiment, the main plots were assigned to N application modes (conventional application and drip fertigation) and the subplots to N rates (375, 319, 264 and 0 kg N/ha). In the second experiment, the main plots were assigned to plant density (12 plants/m2-low density and 19.5 plants/m2-high density) and the subplots to N rates (330, 264 and 0 kg N/ha). The N rate of 264 kg/ha under drip fertigation or high plant density did not reduce cotton yield. Agronomic nitrogen use efficiency (aNUE) and nitrogen recovery efficiency (NRE) were the highest at 264 kg N/ha under drip fertigation and high plant density. Although a reduced N rate increased boll load, fertigation or high plant density relatively reduced boll load and delayed late-season leaf senescence as indicated by the increased photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content as well as the reduced malondialdehyde concentration compared to conventional application or low plant density. The yield stability across N rates (264–375 kg N/ha) was probably due to the delayed leaf senescence and improved N use efficiency. The results suggest that the N rate could be reduced to 264 kg/ha, or 20–30% from the traditionally recommended rate, without sacrificing yield under high plant density or drip fertigation. These results are beneficial to the formulation of a scientific and rational use of N fertilizer for sustainable cotton production and environmental health.

Perceived Level and Farmer Characteristics Factors Associated with Level of Environmental Sustainability of Cotton Farming System in the Sudanese Gezira Scheme

ABSTRACTCotton production plays an important role in the livelihood of farmers in the Gezira Scheme in the Sudan. It is the main cash crop produced in the scheme. However, sustainability of cotton production in the Gezira Scheme has been a worrying issue, specially, after the noticeable deterioration of the cotton production industry in the last few years. This study aimed to assess the environmental sustainability of cotton production in the Gezira Scheme as perceived by farmers who are the direct beneficiaries of the scheme. Understanding farmers’ perspective can help to adopt relevant policy for improving sustainable cotton farming system. Data was collected using interview schedule and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The indicators employed include use of fertilizers, pesticides, farm machinery, soil conservation practices, and availability of water at farm level. The level of environmental sustainability of cotton production was found to be moderate or fairly sustainable. Education level and farmers’ age were negatively correlated with environmental sustainability whilst family size was positively correlated with environmental sustainability however; the correlation magnitudes were negligible. The study found adequacy of irrigation water, the appropriate use of pesticides and soil conservation practices as the main contributing factors to the moderate environmental sustainability of cotton production in the Gezira Scheme. Since farmers are not rational in some practices, the study recommended that the Sudanese Ministry of Agriculture and managers of Gezira Scheme should educate and support cotton farmers in the scheme to adopt integrated soil conservation practices with minimal but efficient use of heavy farm machinery.

Diagnosing soil degradation and fertilizer use relationship for sustainable cotton production in Benin

In Benin and many other cotton-producing countries of West Africa, unsustainable natural resource management is hindering agricultural growth, food security, and poverty reduction. This study addre...

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.

Application of CSM-CROPGRO-Cotton model for cultivars and optimum planting dates: Evaluation in changing semi-arid climate

Simulation models are widely used for making decision support especially under sub-optimal climatic conditions for yield improvement. The impact of uncertain weather conditions on cotton production can be explored with the aid of such models. Cotton, being the queen of fibers, enjoys itself a predominant position amongst all other cash crops and has the potential to narrow the gap between production and consumption of fiber and edible oil. The goal of the study was to evaluate the performance of Cropping System Model CROPGRO-Cotton for examining temporal variation in cultivars and to determine the potential impact of planting dates. The model was calibrated using a diverse range of field observation for phenology, growth and seed cotton yield (SCY) and its components of 20-April planting date, genetic coefficients were estimated using Generalized Likelihood Uncertainty Estimation (GLUE) and sensitivity analysis sub modules in CSM-DSSAT. Calibrated and evaluated results were reasonably good for phenology, growth, boll weight, SCY and yield attributes with good statistics. Simulation and observed data revealed the decreasing trend with delayed planting for all cultivars. Phenological phases were predicted well with high d-index (>0.94 and >0.85), and the dynamics of time series for LAI and biomass were predicted also well (d>0.96 and >0.98), respectively during model evaluation for all planting dates and cultivars. Seed cotton yield was simulated with lower RMSE (137–382) at final picking, while dynamics of time series for SCY were predicted reasonably well with high values of d-index (0.95–0.99) for all cultivars during model evaluation. Planting date analyses of the years (1980–2013) agreed with observed SCY trend, showed decrease of 27% for delayed planting from 20-April to 21-June while first too early planting (10-March) had also faced 8% reduction for all cultivars. Cultivars [MNH-886, NIAB-9811 (NIAB-Kiran) and NIAB-112] outperformed with higher SCY predominantly due to longer appropriate growing season by utilizing optimal weather conditions, attained optimum growth at all key phenological phases. Cultivar NIAB-112 performed well being a short duration and attained high SCY for late planting (1-June) as well during the growing years. Cotton cultivars planting during 1-April–10-May can be suggested for the farmer’s field to avoid weather stress and to improve utilization of resources for sustainable cotton production in the region. Result demonstrated the model potential for decision support for cotton management practices in the region, including identifying optimum planting dates for cotton production.