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Economic Feasibility of Variable Rate Application Systems for Cotton

L. A. Ribera and J. A. Landivar


 
ABSTRACT

Variable Rate Application System (VRAS) offers the opportunity to improve economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture by matching levels of input to meet the potentials of the crop at any point in the field. The objectives of this study are to compare the effectiveness of pix and dropp, and the amount of chemical applied in fixed vs. variable rates. Moreover, evaluate the economic feasibility of VRAS for use in cotton production. This study was conducted at the King Ranch, Kingsville, Texas in the 1998 growing season. Twelve rows of cotton were sprayed with either, variable or fixed rates. Fixed application rates were determined by managers of the King Ranch, and variable rates were estimated based on plant height as described by Landivar et. al., 1999. The results showed that there were neither significant increase in yields nor significant difference in effectiveness. However, there was a slightly lower pix rate per acre used and 22% less dropp was used also in variable rate plots. It is important to point out that these results are under dryland conditions. Therefore, under these conditions, it is difficult to justify the use of VRAS for cotton production. Although, technology and cost of implementing VRAS is adequate, yield benefits must be realized in order to justify its use.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 1999 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 247 - 248
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Monday, Jun 21 1999