WIDE-ROW COTTON PRODUCTION IN THE MISSISSIPPI DELTA

摘要

Low cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) prices and high production costs have triggered interest in alternative cotton production systems in Mississippi with the predominant goal of increasing returns. Cropping adjustments being used include ultra-narrow row, no-till, reduced tillage, skip-row, and wide-row production systems. Fewer linear feet of row per acre suggests potential savings in seed, chemical, and harvest costs and increased returns if yields can be maintained near that achieved on a solid planted basis. Field studies were conducted at the Delta Research and Extension Center in Stoneville, MS to evaluate adaptable row spacings compared to 40-in. solid row pattern. An early maturing variety, PM 1218BR, and a mid-maturing variety, DP 458BR, were evaluated in 30-in. solid, 30- in. 2x1 skip, 30-in. 1x1 skip (60-in. solid), 40-in. solid, 40-in. 2x1 skip, and 40-in. 4x1 skip row spacings in 2002 through 2004.