Research at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station has shown that drip irrigation significantly increased cotton yield over furrow-irrigated cotton by 48 percent (3.7 bales/acre vs. 2.5 bales/acre).

The key objective in 2004 was to verify results through study of another cotton crop. Inline flow meters will be installed to accurately determine the amount of irrigation water applied to furrow irrigated plots. It is important to have these data so water use efficiencies and economics of production can be compared between these two irrigation systems.

A third cotton crop study will be completed during 2005 to verify results and publish data. An economic analysis of the three years of data will be performed that will include cost/benefit ratios for cotton production under drip versus furrow irrigation.

University of Arkansas scientists’ work has shown that high night temperatures in the Delta are particularly detrimental to yield.

In 2004, the researchers are seeking to quantify the effect on boll growth and fiber of high night temperature periods. They also are developing a management model to predict and alleviate crop susceptibility for yield stabilization for cotton producers.