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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #380610
Research Project: Optimizing Water Use Efficiency for Environmentally Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems in Semi-Arid Regions

Location: Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research

Title: Planting date effects on cotton lint yield and fiber quality in the U.S. Southern high plains

Author
item Mauget, Steven
item Ulloa, Mauricio
item DEVER, JANE - Texas A&M Agrilife

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2020
Publication Date: 1/6/2021
Citation: Mauget, S.A., Ulloa, M., Dever, J. 2021. Planting date effects on cotton lint yield and fiber quality in the U.S. Southern high plains. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference. Virtual meeting. January 5-7, 2021.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cotton planting date effects in the U.S. Southern High Plains (SHP) were evaluated based on 11 years of May- and June-planted irrigated variety trials. Multiple cultivars planted in each year’s trial allowed for the calculation of 153 yield effects and 162 effects in 5 fiber quality parameters. Yield and quality effects were considered in the context of related changes in total growing season degree days (GDDS) and total cool hours (CHRS) during a boll formation period 80 to 110 days after planting. May planting increased GDDS and significantly increased yields in 8 of 10 years that comparisons could be made. Micronaire and fiber elongation were the most sensitive quality parameters to planting date. June planting resulted in increased CHRS every year and a significantly higher incidence of low micronaire in 7 of 11 years. In 7 of 11 years May planting significantly reduced fiber elongation relative to June planting. Analysis of SHP temperature data show that late-April to early-May planting dates may increase yield and micronaire by maximizing GDDS and minimizing CHRS. Although this practice may be optimal to the SHP environment it may also require high-vigor seed and pre-planting irrigation. Adapting genetics to an early planting strategy might include selecting for improved seed vigor and cold germination with acceptable yield and fiber quality traits.