Effect of cotton population density on lint yield and fiber quality

Authors: KIMURA, EMI - Texas Agrilife Extension; Adams, Curtis; DELAUNE, PAUL - Texas Agrilife Research; RAMIREZ, JONATHAN - Texas Agrilife Extension; THAPA, SANTANU - Agroliquid

Submitted to: Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/26/2024
Publication Date: 7/17/2024
Citation: Kimura, E., Adams, C.B., DeLaune, P., Ramirez, J., Thapa, S. 2024. Effect of cotton population density on lint yield and fiber quality. Agrosystems, Geosciences & Environment. 7(2). Article e20497. https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20497.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/agg2.20497

Interpretive Summary: Modern commercial cotton cultivars with advanced seed technologies, such as transgenic traits, have greater seed costs. Updated information is needed on the optimal plant population density for modern cultivars to ensure producers can make investments in seed efficiently. Therefore, our objectives of this 2-year field study were to examine the effects of planting density on cotton growth and development, lint yield, fiber quality, and net economic returns. Four planting density treatments (Low, Med, High, and V. High) were tested in deficit-irrigated and dryland conditions at Chillicothe, TX. The planting densities achieved in each season were 54,078, 109,563, 124,037, and 151,377 plant ha-1 in irrigated and 67,346, 115,335, 116,397, and 145,432 plant ha-1 in dryland trials. No differences were observed in lint yield and fiber quality among planting density treatments in irrigated or dryland trials. Average lint yields were 1,199 kg ha-1 in irrigated and 796 kg ha-1 in dryland trial. Plant maturity was delayed due to low plant density early in the season, but the delay was not apparent at the end of season. Net economic returns were similar among all planting densities in the irrigated trial, while Low planting density had significantly higher net return than V. High in the dryland trial. The higher net return at a low seeding rate was due to the lower seed cost with equal yield to higher density treatments. The results indicate that cotton producers who use high seeding rates should considered lowering rates to a safe level to increase profitability.

Technical Abstract: Commercial cultivars with advanced technology have reduced pest pressures, while greater seed costs have increased total production cost. Limited information is available on the optimal final population density (PD) for the commercially available cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars with advanced technologies in water-scarce environments. Therefore, our objectives were to examine the effects of PD on cotton growth and development, lint yield, fiber quality, and net return. A 2-yr study was conducted to test four PD (Low, Med, High, and V. High) in deficit-irrigated and dryland conditions at Chillicothe, TX. Final PD at 12 DAP were 54,078, 109,563, 124,037, and 151,377 plant ha-1 in irrigated and 67,346, 115,335, 116,397, and 145,432 plant ha-1 in dryland trials. Maturity was delayed in the low PD early in the season; however, the differences on maturity ceased toward the end of season. No statistical differences were observed on lint yield and fiber quality among treatments in irrigated and dryland trials. Average lint yields were 1,199 kg ha-1 in irrigated and 796 kg ha-1 in dryland trial. Net returns were similar among all PD in the irrigated trial, while low PD had significantly higher net-return than V. high PD in the dryland trial. The higher net return at the low PD was due to the lower seed cost associated with a low seeding rate. In the water-scarce environment, final plant density of 54,078 plant ha-1 in deficit-irrigation and 67,346 plant ha-1 in dryland produced optimal yield and net return as compared to higher PD examined.