Influence of row spacing, herbicide technology, and tillage on fiber quality and economic returns

Authors: Duzy, Leah; Balkcom, Kipling; Price, Andrew

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/16/2016
Publication Date: 12/28/2016
Publication URL: http://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5661736
Citation: Duzy, L.M., Balkcom, K.S., Price, A.J. 2016. Influence of row spacing, herbicide technology, and tillage on fiber quality and economic returns. Journal of Cotton Science. 20:341-355.

Interpretive Summary: Agricultural producers are faced with a litany of conditions that influence their profitability, from weather variability to weed, insect, and disease pressure. Adoption of new production methods to address these conditions can produce higher or lower yields, as well as differing cotton fiber quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of row spacing, herbicide technology, and tillage on fiber quality attributes, quality price difference, ginning percentage, net returns using data from a field experiment conducted in Alabama from 2004 - 2006. Treatments included conventional, glyphosate-tolerant, and glufosinate-tolerant cotton varieties; conservation tillage and conventional tillage; and standard row (40 in) and narrow row (15 in) spacing. Mixed logit models were used to evaluate fiber quality, quality price difference, and ginning percentage, and a mixed model was use to evaluate net returns. Fiber quality was most commonly impacted by variety and tillage. Across all fiber quality attributes, conventional and glufosinate-tolerant varieties had a higher probability of producing premium cotton than the glyphosate-tolerant variety due to higher micronaire, strength, and uniformity values. Conservation tillage systems had a higher probability of higher values for color grade, staple, and uniformity. Glyphosate-tolerant cotton and cotton grown in a conventional tillage system were more likely to have higher ginning percentages. Spacing and variety were important in determining net returns. These results indicate the importance of considering, not only seed cotton yield, but also fiber quality and ginning percentage when making production decisions.

Technical Abstract: Agricultural producers are faced with a litany of conditions that influence their profitability, from weather variability to weed, insect, and disease pressure. Adoption of new production methods to address these conditions can produce higher or lower yields, as well as differing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of row spacing, herbicide technology, and tillage on fiber quality attributes, quality price difference, ginning percentage, net returns above variable treatment costs (NRAVTC) using data from a field experiment conducted in Alabama from 2004 - 2006. Treatments included non-transgenic, glyphosate-tolerant, and glufosinate-tolerant cotton varieties; conservation tillage and conventional tillage; and standard row (102 cm) and narrow row (38 cm) spacing. Ordered multinomial mixed logit models were used to evaluate fiber quality attributes, quality price difference, and ginning percentage, and a linear mixed model was use to evaluate NRAVTC. Fiber quality attributes were most commonly impacted by variety and tillage. Across all fiber quality attributes, non-transgenic and glufosinate-tolerant varieties had a higher probability of producing premium cotton than the glyphosate-tolerant variety due to higher micronaire, strength, and uniformity values. Conservation tillage systems had a higher probability of higher values for color grade, staple, and uniformity. Glyphosate-tolerant cotton and cotton grown in a conventional tillage system were more likely to have higher ginning percentages. Spacing and variety were influential in determining NRAVTC. These results indicate the importance of considering, not only seed cotton yield, but also fiber quality and ginning percentage when making production decisions.