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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #180037
Title: EFFECTS OF ROLLING/CRIMPING RYE DIRECTION AND DIFFERENT ROW-CLEANING ATTACHMENTS ON COTTON EMERGENCE AND YIELD

Author
item Kornecki, Ted
item Raper, Randy
item Arriaga, Francisco
item Balkcom, Kipling
item Price, Andrew

Submitted to: Meeting Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/27/2005
Publication Date: 6/27/2005
Citation: Kornecki, T.S., Raper, R.L., Arriaga, F.J., Balkcom, K.S., Price, A.J. 2005. Effects of rolling/crimping rye direction and different row-cleaning attachments on cotton emergence and yield. In: Proceedings of the Southern Conservation Tillage Systems Conference, June 27-29, 2005, Clemson University, Florence, South Carolina. p. 169-177.

Interpretive Summary: Large amounts of cover crop residue can create problems with any tillage practice that must be conducted in the spring, prior to planting operations. Thus, crops must be managed appropriately to prevent planting problems. The most common problem is “hair-pinning”, where residue is pushed into the soil rather than being cleanly sheared. Hair-pinning creates a condition where the seeds are unable to have good seed-soil contact. Another major problem is accumulation of cover crop residue on planting units, which causes frequent stops to clean the equipment. In this study we determined the effect of different cover crop rolling directions (relative to the planting rows) and different commercially available row-cleaner attachments on cotton emergence and yield at two location in Alabama. Based on preliminary results in 2004, the greatest cotton plant emergence and the highest yield were found with parallel rolling pattern and Yetter row cleaner at E.V. Smith and TVS. The worst results came with the perpendicular and 45 degree rolling patterns, and no–row cleaner, also at these two locations.

Technical Abstract: Cover crops have been recognized as a vital part of conservation systems and they should produce maximum biomass to be effective. Because of the large amounts of residue produced by cover crops, they must be managed appropriately and not create problems for producers. Roller-crimpers have been used to manage cover crops by rolling them down and creating a thick cover over the soil surface. This study was conducted to determine the effect of different rolling directions and different commercial row cleaners on cotton emergence and yield. Two locations for this study were chosen (central and northern Alabama) to account for different climate and soil conditions. Each experiment was a completely randomized block design with four replications. Presented results cover the first 2003/2004 growing season. Rye (Secale Cereale L.) was chosen as a cover crop because rye produces a large amount of biomass and is popular with Alabama producers. Rye was rolled at the soft dough stage and terminated using glyphosate. Preliminary data showed that parallel rolling direction with respect to planting direction for cotton produced the highest emergence and yield at both locations. Likewise, the best commercially available row cleaner was the Yetter attachment, at both locations. The worst rolling pattern was perpendicular to cotton rows.