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Management Systems for Transgenic Cotton in Ultra-Narrow Rows

Michael A. Jones, Charles E. Snipes and Gordon R. Tupper


 
ABSTRACT

Over the last decade, the cost of producing a pound of cotton lint has significantly increased while yields per acre and the price per pound of lint has remained virtually unchanged. A production system that would maintain or increase yields and fiber quality while increasing earliness and reducing production costs is needed. Ultra-narrow row systems have received increased attention by industry, research personnel, and producers in recent years. Ultra-narrow row systems consist of planting cotton in narrow rows (15 inches or less) at extremely high populations (approximately 100,000 plants/A) and harvesting with a stripper harvester. Ultra-narrow row systems are attractive to producers because they have the potential to increase yields, reduce production costs and labor, and increase earliness. However, changing to ultra-narrow row systems will require the adjustment of many management components. The purpose of this research was to determine the feasibility of using transgenic cottons in ultra-narrow rows (15-in. rows or less) for cotton production, to evaluate the effectiveness of various row spacings, plant populations, varieties, and mepiquat chloride management strategies for transgenic cottons in ultra-narrow row systems, and to assess the effect of these various systems on cotton growth, maturity and lint quantity/quality. Three replicated field studies were conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS, in 1998 and 1999 and at the Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC in 1999. In the first study, three row spacings (7.5-in., 15-in., and 40-in. rows) and six varieties (NuCotn 35, ST 474, ST BXN47, PM 1220RR, MD51ne Normal-leaf, and MD51ne Okra-leaf) were evaluated. A second study evaluated two row spacings (7.5-in. and 15-in. rows) and six plant populations (75 000 plants/A, 100 000 plants/A, 125 000 plants/A, 150 000 plants/A, 175 000 plants/A, and 200 000 plants/A). All plots were planted at the highest plant population, and lower population treatments were formed by hand removal of individual plants at the two to three true-leaf stage. A third study consisted of three row spacings (7.5-in., 15-in., and 30-in. rows) and five mepiquat chloride applications (untreated check, four applications of 4 oz/A, two applications of 8 oz/A, four applications of 8 oz/A, and four applications of 12 oz/A). Mepiquat chloride applications began at matchhead square and were applied every 10 to 14 days depending on growth conditions.



Reprinted from Proceedings of the 2000 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 714 - 716
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Saturday, Jun 17 2000