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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #179874
Title: SOIL MOISTURE AND COTTON LEAF TEMPERATURE IN CONSERVATION SYSTEMS

Author
item Arriaga, Francisco
item Balkcom, Kipling
item Raper, Randy

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2005
Publication Date: 6/27/2005
Citation: Arriaga, F.J., Balkcom, K.S., Raper, R.L. 2005. Soil moisture and cotton leaf temperature in conservation systems. In: Proceedings of the Southern Conservation Tillage Systems Conference, June 27-29, 2005, Clemson University, Florence, South Carolina. p.111-112.

Interpretive Summary: A survey conducted in 2002 revealed that many soils in central Alabama have hard pans within the top 12 inches of soil. Typically these soils have low organic matter contents. Traditional tillage practices severely disturb the soil surface, thus causing soil organic matter losses. Other tillage practices are now available that minimize soil surface disruption while breaking-up compacted soil layers. In the fall 2003 a field experiment was started to determine the potential of four conservation tillage systems and three winter cover crops to reduce soil compaction, increase soil organic matter content and moisture availability. Soil moisture was monitored continuously during the growing season to a depth of 12 inches. An infrared thermometer was used to determine cotton leaf temperature during the fruiting period. Cover crops increased soil moisture contents, reduced leaf temperature, and increased lint yields when compared to the no cover treatment. Development of new alternative soil and crop management systems is crucial to improve sustainability and environmental quality of the region.

Technical Abstract: Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yields are typically reduced by soil compaction due to reduced root development. Soil compaction is usually a concern in soils with low soil organic matter content. A survey conducted in 2002 revealed that many soils in central Alabama have hard pans within the top 12 inches of soil, and these soils also had low organic matter contents. In the fall 2003 a field experiment was started to determine the potential of conservation tillage systems (no tillage, fall paratill, spring paratill, and spring strip tillage) and winter cover crops (no cover, rye, and wheat) to reduce soil compaction, increase soil organic matter content and moisture availability. Soil moisture was monitored continuously during the growing season to a depth of 12 inches. An infrared thermometer was used to determine cotton leaf temperature of the uppermost fully extended leaf during the fruiting period. Cover crops increased soil moisture contents, reduced leaf temperature, and increased lint yields when compared to the no cover treatment.