ABSTRACT

The effect of nitrogen fertilization on cotton lint yields and fiber quality parameters in a cotton/soybean rotation was studied on two soil types. Cotton lint yields were increased with nitrogen fertilization on a clay soil, while yields were unaffected on a silt-loam soil. Increasing nitrogen rates produced longer, stronger, more uniform fibers at the clay soil site. Increasing nitrogen rates generally produced lint with higher micronaire readings at the silt-loam site. At the clay soil site the 135 lbs N/a rate produced the greatest returns to producers of $575/acre. This is an increase of $324 over the untreated check. At the silt-loam site the 110 lbs N/a rate produced the greatest returns to producers of $435/acre. This is an increase of $13 over the untreated check.