COVER SYSTEM AND STARTER FERTILIZER PLACEMENT FOR NO-TILL COTTON

C.H. Burmester, Mike Patterson, and D.W. Reeves

ABSTRACT

A field study comparing cotton growth and yields in two no-tillage systems with conventionally tilled cotton was conducted in 1991 and 1992. The study was located in north Alabama on a Decatur silt loam soil (Rhodic Paleudult).

The two no-tillage cover systems evaluated were: 1) old cotton stubble or, 2) fall seeded wheat, killed two weeks prior to planting. Starter fertilizer treatments consisted of liquid fertilizers supplying N and P2O5 rates of 0-0, 15-0, and 15-50 lb. A-1 applied either in a band 4 inches over the row or 2x2 placed.

Cotton yields averaged only about 1 bale per acre in 1991 due to drought, but averaged over 2 bales per acre due to abundant rainfall in 1992. Both years cotton planted in the old cotton stubble produced a much more compact plant than cotton conventionally tilled or no-tilled into wheat. Part of this growth reduction may be explained by soil penetrometer readings indicating the soil in the old stubble was much more compacted, especially in the upper 12 inches, than either conventional tillage or no-tilled into wheat. Soil penetrometer reading below 12 inches also indicated that the wheat cover was reducing soil compaction at these lower soil depths. Why this is occurring is unclear.





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Document last modified July 8, 2004