ABSTRACT

Weather researchers are becoming increasingly successful at making long-range forecasts of precipitation. In this study, we attempt to determine if farmers in the Texas High Plains could use this information to help determine what plant populations they should use in their dryland cotton fields. Results of this study suggest that, if reasonably accurate long-range forecasts of rainfall are not available for the critical period when cotton plants are setting and filling bolls, then dryland cotton farmers should not deviate from current practices involving the use of relatively low plant populations.