Harvest Options for Dryland Cotton in the Mid-South

E.D. Vories, C.M. Bonner, G. Huitink, and S. Anthony


 
ABSTRACT

A study was conducted at the University of Arkansas Northeast Research and Extension Center in 1991 and 1992 to investigate the suitability of a brush stripper with onboard cleaning for mid-South cotton harvesting. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. cv. DES 119) was produced on 30- and 38-inch row spacings under dryland (nonirrigated) conditions. Seedcotton harvested with a brush stripper and a spindle picker was processed through a commercial gin. In addition to the quantity of seedcotton harvested, the gin turnout and fiber quality parameters were compared.

Neither the row-spacing main effect nor interactions with row spacing were significant for seedcotton yield, gin turnout or the quality parameters. More seedcotton was harvested in 1992 than 1991. Seedcotton yield was also greater with the stripper. However, gin turnouts were lower (more than 3%) for the stripper-harvested seedcotton. Differences between the picker and stripper for both seedcotton yield and gin turnout were larger in 1992 than 1991. Bale grades were numerically higher in 1992, indicating less desirable color and more trash. Grades were also higher with the stripper harvest. Micronaire was lower in 1992 than 1991, and was lower with the stripper than the picker. Uniformity was lower and HVI trash percent was higher in 1992, but neither was significantly affected by the harvest method. HVI strength and length were not affected in the study.



Reprinted from 1993 Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 542 - 543
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998