Planting Date Effects on Cotton Lint Yield and Fiber Quality in the U.S. Southern High Plains

Steven Mauget, Mauricio Ulloa and Jane Dever
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Steven Mauget: U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Cropping Systems Research Laboratory, Wind Erosion and Water Conservation Research Unit, Lubbock, TX 79415, USA
Mauricio Ulloa: U.S. Department of Agriculture-Agricultural Research Service, Cropping Systems Research Laboratory, Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research Group, Lubbock, TX 79415, USA
Jane Dever: Department of Soil and Crop Sciences, Texas A & M AgriLife Research and Extension Center, Lubbock, TX 79403-6603, USA

Agriculture, 2019, vol. 9, issue 4, 1-19

Abstract: Cotton planting date effects in the U.S. Southern High Plains (SHP) were evaluated based on 11 years of May-planted and June-planted irrigated variety trials. Multiple cultivars planted in each year’s trial allowed for the calculation of 153 yield effects and 162 effects in 5 fiber quality parameters. Yield and quality effects were considered in the context of related changes in total growing season degree days (GDD S ) and total cool hours (CHRS) during a boll formation period 80 to 110 days after planting. May planting increased GDD S and significantly increased yields in 8 of 10 years that comparisons could be made. Micronaire and fiber elongation were the most sensitive quality parameters to planting date. June planting resulted in increased CHRS every year and a significantly higher incidence of low micronaire in 7 of 11 years. In 7 of 11 years May planting significantly reduced fiber elongation relative to June planting. Analysis of SHP temperature data show that late-April to early-May planting dates may increase yield and micronaire by maximizing GDD S and minimizing CHRS. Although this practice may be optimal to the SHP environment it may also require high-vigor seed and pre-planting irrigation. Adapting genetics to an early planting strategy might include selecting for improved seed vigor and cold germination with acceptable yield and fiber quality traits.

Keywords: cotton production; lint yield; fiber quality; micronaire; cooling hours; growing degree days; genetics X environment X management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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