Applying 11-37-0 in-furrow with the planted seed was compared with higher rates of 11-37-0 applied as a 2 x 2 subsurface bank applied over the planted row for conventional- and no-tillage cotton. The research was conducted on a Loring silt loam testing high Mehilich I extractable P and K. A randomized complete block with treatments replicated five times was the design used to evaluate applying 11-37-0 in-furrow at 1.5, 3.0, and 4.5 gal/A and applying 11-37-0 at 7.5 gal/A either banded 2 x 2 or banded over the planted row. All but one treatment had 80-40-60 lb of N-P₂O₅-K₂O, respectively, applied per acre either broadcast or a combination of broadcast plus starter. Broadcasting 80-0-60 lb/A of N-P₂O₅-K₂O was used to evaluate the need for phosphorus fertilization. Ammonium nitrate, concentrated superphosphate, and muriate of potash were the broadcast fertilizer materials. The cultivar Deltapine 20 was planted 10 40 inch rows on May 2.

At planting time, the soil was near field capacity water and 0.88 inches of rainfall was recorded the first three days and 5.67 inches recorded 13 of the first 16 days after planting. It was speculated that nutrient movement resulted due to this amount of rainfall since treatments had little to no effect on yield, plant height and plant populations for either tillage system. No-tillage yields were unaffected by treatment. Applying 11-37-0 either at 4.5 gal/A in-furrow or at 7.5 gal/A over the planted row yielded more conventionally tilled cotton than either 1.5 and 3.0 gal/A in-furrow or the nonstarter treatments. Approximately 2.5 bales of cotton was produced by both tillage systems but a higher percentage of no-till cotton was picked at first harvest. Plant height was unaffected by treatment for either tillage system, but the no=tillage, non-starter treatments were higher than the over-the-planted-row starter treatment. Petiole nitrogen and potassium concentrations were evaluated at two different growth periods after flowering with little differences due the treatment or tillage.