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Title: Impact of Cover Crop Rolling Direction and Various Row-cleaners on Cotton Emergence and Yield in No-till Conservation System

Author
item Kornecki, Ted
item Raper, Randy
item Arriaga, Francisco
item Schwab, Eric
item Stoll, Quentin

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/7/2006
Publication Date: 7/9/2006
Citation: Kornecki, T.S., Raper, R.L., Arriaga, F.J., Schwab, E.B., Stoll, Q.M. 2006. Impact of Cover Crop Rolling Direction and Various Row-cleaners on Cotton Emergence and Yield in No-till Conservation System. 2006 ASABE Annual International Meeting.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cover crops have been recognized as a vital part of conservation systems. However, they must produce maximum biomass to be effective. Because of the large amounts of residue produced by cover crops, they must be managed appropriately in order to not create problems for producers. Roller-crimpers have been used to manage cover crops by rolling them down and creating a thick cover over the soil surface. A study was conducted to determine the effect of different rolling directions (parallel, diagonal and perpendicular to cotton planting direction) using a roller/crimper, and two different commercial row cleaners (DawnTM and YetterTM) on cotton emergence and yield. Two locations for this study were chosen (central and northern Alabama) to account for different climate and soil conditions. A completely randomized block design with four replications was used. Presented results illustrate two growing and harvest seasons (2004 and 2005). Rye (Secale Cereale L.) was chosen as a cover crop due to its potential to produce a large amount of biomass and its popularity with Alabama producers. Rye was rolled at the soft dough stage and terminated using glyphosate. Data showed that parallel rolling direction with respect to planting direction for cotton produced the highest emergence and yield at both locations in both years. In 2004, the YetterTM row cleaners resulted in higher emergence and yield for both locations when compared with DawnTM row cleaners. However, in 2005 the DawnTM row cleaner resulted in a greater cotton yield than YetterTM. These differences in row cleaner performance between each year are associated with variations in biomass generated by rye at each location and diverse weather and field conditions.