Archives

WINTER COVER CROPS FOLLOWED BY COTTON

W.C. Hofmann, L.M. Carter, and N. Hudson

Objectives: Covercrops have been used for many years to improve soil quality, as a source of nutrients, improve water infiltration, suppress weeds, harbor beneficial insects, control nematodes, etc. Little work however has been directed towards their use in a cotton rotation. This study was initiated to investigate four fall-planted covercrop species on subsequent cotton growth.

Procedures: Fescue, annual rye, hairy vetch, and subterranean clover were planted on beds on November 14, 1989. The field was irrigated…

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MINIMUM TILLAGE / RESIDUE MANAGEMENT

W.C. Hofmann, L.M. Carter, and N. Hudson

OBJECTIVES: Minimum tillage has received attention in recent years as a technique to reduce production costs, improve soil quality, and reduce erosion. This study was initiated to evaluate the effects of minimum tillage on cotton growth and soil quality.

PROCEDURES: The 1990 study was conducted at the U.S. Cotton Research Station in Shafter, CA. The treatments were established in a barley field prior to grain harvest. The~barley had…

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Cover Crop Species Evaluations

W.C. Hofmann, N. Goodell, and N. Hudson

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate several plant species for their potential as winter cover crops in a cotton production system. Two dates of cover crop planting were investigated.

PROCEDURES: Eleven cover crops1 and a control were planted on 30 inch beds on October 26 and November 27, 1990 (Table 1). The seed were broadcast by hand and raked into the soil. Visual observations of the percent…

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BEST PRACTICE COTTON SYSTEMS

W.C. Hofmann, L.M. Carter, P.E. Keeley, and L.F. Elliott J.H. Chesson, R.J. Thullen, D. Ballard, and N. Goodell

OBJECTIVES: To develop the criteria for ‘best practice’ cotton production systems. To test experimental component subsystems and the interrelationship of cotton production subsystems including rotational crops. To demonstrate for technology transfer ‘best practice’ systems.

PROCEDURE: Four systems were identified for inclusion in a field study resulting from a factorial of two systems categories: row spacing and tillage. The ‘best practice’ row spacing was selected as 30 inch as compared…

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