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Estimating the Cost of Delaying Irrigation for Mid-South Cotton on Clay Soil

Earl D. Vories, Robert E. Glover, Kelly J. Bryant, and Phil L. Tacker

ABSTRACT

Cotton producers often know that they need to irrigate sooner than they do, but have no idea of the cost of delaying irrigation. The objective of this research was to estimate the cost associated with delaying the first irrigation for cotton on clay soil. Cotton irrigation studies were conducted at the University of Arkansas Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser during the 2001 and 2002 growing seasons, with the cultivar 'PM 1218 BG/RR' planted on a Sharkey silty clay (Chromic Epiaquerts) precision graded to approximately 0.2% slope. All plots were four 38-inch rows by approximately 600 ft long, with all four rows harvested for yield determination. A four-row border area was left between each pair of plots. A well-watered treatment was irrigated at a 2-inch estimated soil water deficit (SWD) based on the Arkansas Irrigation Scheduler (Cahoon et al., 1990). Irrigations for two "delay" treatments were initiated on the date of the second irrigation or third irrigation of the well-watered treatment and then irrigated at a 2-inch estimated SWD. A nonirrigated check was also included. Irrigations were ceased when open bolls were observed. Highest yields in both years were observed for the well-watered treatment, and in 2002, yields and revenues associated with delaying irrigation were not significantly different than for no irrigation. The cost of delaying irrigation initiation ranged from $25/acre for delaying by one irrigation in 2001 to $122/acre for delaying by two irrigations in 2002. Continuing the study in additional environments will help to better define the importance of timeliness of the initial irrigation.





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Document last modified April 16, 2003