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Does a Different Plant Type Enhance Performance of UNR Cotton Production Systems?

Rose Roche, Michael P. Bange, Stephen P. Milroy, and Graeme L. Hammer

ABSTRACT

Ultra narrow row (UNR) cotton production has the potential for earliness and cheaper harvesting in shorter growing seasons. This earlier maturity has been difficult to achieve in UNR trials in Australia and the U.S. Growing varieties with different morphological traits (compact, short fruiting branches and few vegetative branches) may optimise this alternative production system. A cluster line (short fruiting internodes) was compared to a normal branching variety in both UNR and conventionally spaced cotton crops in northwest NSW, Australia. There were few interactions between variety and row spacing. The cluster line did not confer any yield or maturity benefits over the normal variety in the UNR production system. The UNR crop did not exhibit earlier maturity or increased yield compared to the conventionally spaced cotton crop. The UNR cotton initially had greater light interception and intercepted more light over the growing season, but this did not translate into differences final total dry matter, yield or earlier maturity. Retention was affected by row configuration with lower retention in the UNR crops compared to conventionally spaced cotton, which may have impacted on any maturity or yield benefits. Further research into the key physiological processes of UNR production is continuing in order to better understand and optimise the system.





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Document last modified 04/27/04