Conservation tillage production systems for cotton vary greatly. However, most of these systems are similar in that they substitute chemical energy for mechanical energy to control unwanted vegetation before cotton is planted. Intensive management is required for these systems to be successful. Proper herbicide selection and proper application are essential.

Numerous herbicide options are available to growers, including fall applied residual treatments, mid-winter treatments, and spring preplant treatments. The choice(s) of herbicides and application timing(s) are dependent upon weed spectrum, application restrictions, environmental factors, and economic factors. Tankmixtures of herbicides or multiple applications may be required for effective preplant weed control.

Shallow tillage is an effective alternative to chemical control of seedling and shallow rooted weeds in some situations. Tillage also provides an opportunity to utilize preplant incorporated herbicides in conservation tillage production systems.

The successes of conservation tillage cotton production systems have been noticed by the agrichemical industry, and companies are working to find places for their herbicides in this market area.