ABSTRACT

Nutrient requirements of cotton [Gossypium hirsutum (L.)] may be altered by crop rotation and tillage practices. In a six-year study conducted in south central Texas, the lint yield of cotton rotated with corn was increased by 35% compared to continuous cotton. Lint yield of reduced till continuous cotton was 23% greater than conventional tillage continuous cotton. Nitrogen (N) economy of cotton was also enhanced by rotation or reduced tillage. These practices increased lint yield of the no N controls by 69 and 54%, respectively. Reasons for differences were related to changes in soil chemical, biological, and physical properties.