The effect of three tillage treatment on the development of seedling diseases of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was evaluated for four years beginning in 1988. The three tillage practices were minimal tillage which consisted of plowing with a paraplow in the fall, moldboard tillage which consisted of tilling with a moldboard in and lightly dragging in the spring, and conventional tillage which consisted of disking in the fall and bedding in the spring. Each tillage plot was divided into 2 subplots with and without Temik+Terraclor Super X (TSX) at planting. Seedling disease was assessed by conducting a root-hypocotyl disease index and by counting surviving plant populations at four weeks after planting. Yield of seed cotton was obtained at maturity.

Tillage practices, but not applications of Temik+TSX, significantly affected plant populations. Generally, plant populations were lowest in the minimal tillage plots and highest in the conventional tillage plots. Disease index was influenced by both tillage and application of Temik+TSX. In-furrow application of Temik+TSX resulted in lower disease indices all four years. The minimal tillage plots had the highest disease indices in 1988 and 1990. Disease indices were not significantly different in 1989 and 1991. Application of Temik+TSX resulted in higher yields every year except 1990. The affect of tillage on yield of seed cotton was variable each year and no trends were observed.