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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Auburn, Alabama » Soil Dynamics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #210886
Title: Cotton systems research: Evaluating herbicide technologies, tillage systems, and row spacings

Author
item Balkcom, Kipling
item Price, Andrew
item Arriaga, Francisco
item DELANEY, D - AUBURN UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: Extension Reports
Publication Type: Experiment Station
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2007
Publication Date: 3/30/2007
Citation: Balkcom, K.S., Price, A.J., Arriaga, F.J., Delaney, D.P. 2007. Cotton systems research: Evaluating herbicide technologies, tillage systems, and row spacings. In: Lawrence, K.S., Monks, C.D., Delaney, D.P., editors. 2006 Cotton Research Report, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Research Report No. 30. p. 23-26.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of two tillage systems, two row spacings, and three cotton varieties on yield, fiber quality, soil moisture, weed management, and economic returns. Cotton varieties, tillage systems, and row spacings were implemented at the Field Crops Unit of the E.V. Smith Research and Extension Center near Shorter, AL. Treatments arranged in a split-split-plot design with four replications. Cotton varieties were conventional cotton, RoundUp Ready, and Liberty Link. Tillage systems included either conventional tillage or no-tillage (both with fall paratill). Measured plant populations were generally greater for 15-inch cotton across tillage systems, reflecting a higher seeding rate utilized in the 15-inch cotton. Lint yields were influenced by the growing season more than row spacings, cotton varieties, or tillage systems. The growing season also influenced plant biomass at 1st square and mid-bloom, but 15-inch cotton generally produced more plant biomass, while tillage systems showed more erratic effects. Although 15-inch lint yields were equivalent to 40-inch cotton lint yields, an extensive economic analysis is required to account for differing plant populations, technology fees, tillage systems, and herbicide systems to determine if a 15-inch system is more profitable than a traditional cotton system with wider row spacings.