COTTON YIELD RESPONSE TO VANDIUM APPLICATION

C.W. Wendt and S.K. Hicks

ABSTRACT

Cotton yield responses to vanadium applications were evaluated at various locations in the Texas High Plains from 1986 to 1991. Factors investigated include rate of application, time of application, aerial application, surfactants, mixture with foliar applied fertilizers, mixtures with growth regulators, compatibility with herbicides and insecticides, and effects of environmental and nutrient stress.

The most effective vanadium application rate was 0.05 lb/ac applied at 2 weeks after match head square prior to first bloom. Average yield increase ranged from 21 lbs/ac in 1991 to 92 lbs/ac in 1988. The quality of the cotton fiber was not significantly affected. Aerial applications of vanadium were very consistent in increasing yield. The addition of a surfactant (0.25 % v/v rate) was effective in increasing yield.

Vanadium applications (0.05 lb/ac) alone were more effective in increasing yields than iron (10 lbs/ac) and zinc (1 lb/ac) alone or in mixtures with vanadium. Yields of treatments where mixtures of PIX (8 oz/ac) and vanadium were applied were higher than PIX and vanadium applied alone. Vanadium was found to be compatible with most herbicides and insecticides.

Vanadium applications were most effective applied when the soil moisture was adequate air temperature was the lowest and air humidity was the highest (night or early morning hours). An adequate supply of nitrogen is essential to obtain a response to vanadium.

In summary vanadium is most effective in the Texas High Plains when applied to unstressed cotton two weeks after pinhead square to first bloom. Applications are somewhat effective applied between first square and peak bloom.





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Document last modified July 8, 2004