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No-Till/Stale Seed Bed vs. Conventional UNR Cotton

S. D. Atwell


 
ABSTRACT

Scientists and producers have developed a series of effective No-Till and Low-Till systems for all crops over the past twenty years. These systems have proven to be equal to, or better than conventional tillage systems. Acceptance of various stages of these systems have grown to over forty percent of all crop acres nation wide, with cotton remaining much lower. It was learned that by closing the space between the rows to ten inches or less resulted in quicker canopy cover. This provided for year around soil surface coverage, which equates to less weed pressure, less erosion, improved water quality, soil structure, and organic matter. So, Ultra narrow rows became the nucleus of these systems. Additionally, with cotton, the plants must be short and slender for broadcast stripper harvest. Plant growth regulators and high density, close plant spacing is necessary to force the proper plant morphology for efficient harvest. Acceptance of No-Till, and Stale Seed Bed, in combination with Ultra Narrow Cotton, UNRC, have increased with the development of the selective over the top herbicides, seed, and plant growth regulator technology. This new technology has allowed the growers to increase profits by reducing production cost and increasing yields. Ultra Narrow Row Cotton is an efficient, cost effective management program which fits across all soil types, production systems and environmental conditions. Ultra Narrow Rows complement N0-Till and No-Till complements Ultra Narrow Rows.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 1998 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pg. 92
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998