U. S. Cotton Research Station
Agriculture Research Service
U. S. Department of Agriculture
17053 Shafter Avenue
Shafter, California 93263
Telephone: (805) 746-6391
Facsimile: (805) 746-1619
This report contains published and unpublished information concerning work in progress. The unpublished contents of this report may not be published or reproduced in any form without the prior consent of the scientific research staff involved.
Trade names and company names are included for the benefit of the reader and do not constitute an endorsement by the U. S. Department of Agriculture.
INTRODUCTION
The U. S. Cotton Research Station Annual Research Report is intended to
inform upper level management within the Agricultural Research Service, other ARS research locations involved in natural resources research, and our many collaborators and cooperators about progress made on our research projects in 1990 and plans for 1991.
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W.R. DeTar and C.J Phene
OBJECTIVES: To compare subsurface drip to furrow irrigation of Acala cotton on a good soil (uniform, high silt content) and a poor soil (non-uniform, sand streaks and pockets) , by measuring growth characteristics, yields, and water use. Also to verify technical feasibility of drip irrigation and to determine problem areas.
PROCEDURES: Equipment procurement and installation began in the Fall of 1989 for a 1.2 ha field located near the southwest…
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OBJECTIVE: To determine if Temik has plant growth regulator qualities and quantifying its benefits to cotton when subjected to thrips.
PROCEDURES: Cotton was grown for 2 months in a growth chamber where insect populations could be controlled. The chamber was programmed…
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Report of Progress
University of California, Agricultural Experiment Station Project Number: CA-D*-Ent-3003-H
Thomas F. Leigh, Entomologist Report Period: 1/1/90-12/31/90
OBJECTIVES: Ascertain the efficacy of predatory mites as managed biological control agents against spider mites on cotton and strategies for their utilization.
Evaluate the relationship of alfalfa management systems to lygus bug infestation development and to utilization of alfalfa as a biological control agent preserve.
Assess cotton cultivar relationship (plant resistance) to cotton pest infestation development and pest impact on plant development and fruiting.
Evaluate cotton cultivar relationship to pesticide resistance in greenhouse whitefly
PROCEDURES: Predacious Mite Studies. Predatory mites obtained from a commercial insectary were distributed…
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Dick Bassett, UC-Shafter
Objectives: To identify newly developed lines which have a potential for improved yield and quality for the San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton District
Procedures:
The testing is an ongoing process carried out in two stages. Each year a new group of 36 cottons enters the first stage in small replicated plots at four representative locations. Measurements are made…
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Tom Kerby, Wally Hofmann, and Mark Keeley
Objectives: Develop crop management guidelines which optimize production and quality of Acala and Pima cottons.
Procedure: Seven individual replicated trials were conducted at Shafter. Most trials had companion trials at the UC West Side…
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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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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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W.R. DeTar and L.F. Elliott
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate various subsurface dripperlines for use with cotton on a very sandy soil, by measuring uniformity of emergence, plant growth characteristics, yields, and changes in flow rates.
PROCEDURES: Table 1 shows the various combinations of tubing types, depth of placement, emitter spacing, discharge rate, and wall thickness for some of the companies that felt that their product was suitable for subsurface drip irrigation of cotton.
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