ARS | Publication request: Effect of Tillage System, Row Spacing and Herbicide Technologies on Plant Growth and Lint Yield in Cotton

Submitted to: Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: July 20, 2010
Publication Date: July 20, 2010
Citation: Aulakh, J.S., Price, A.J., Balkcom, K.S., Arriaga, F.J., Delaney, D.P. 2010. Effect of Tillage System, Row Spacing and Herbicide Technologies on Plant Growth and Lint Yield in Cotton. In: Endale, D.M., Iversen, K.V., editors. Proceedings of the 32nd Southern Conservation Agricultural Systems Conference, July 20-23, 2010, Jackson, Tennessee. CDROM.

Technical Abstract: A field study was conducted from 2004 through 2006 growing seasons at the E.V. Smith Research Center, Field Crops Unit near Shorter, AL, to compare a conventional variety, a glyphosate tolerant variety, and a glufosinate tolerant variety under both the conventional tillage and the conservation tillage systems with standard row (102 cm) and narrow row (38 cm) cotton planting patterns. Lint yields were influenced more by the growing season than row spacing, variety, or tillage system. The 38 cm lint yields were equivalent to 102 cm cotton lint yields. Significant differences in terms of weed control had been reported between tillage systems & varieties, tillage systems & row spacings and varieties & row spacing. In general, the weed control efficacy of HR technologies was comparable and both the Roundup ready and the Liberty link varieties were significantly better than conventional variety under the conventional tillage systems. However, for conventional non HR technology, conservation tillage significantly enhanced the weed control than conventional tillage. Likewise, row spacing did not offer any significant enhancement in weed control in HR varieties but in conventional variety. Conservation tillage and 38 cm spacing was more efficient than conventional tillage with the same spacing. The response to row spacing varied with the weed species within a tillage system.