The purpose of this project is to provide an economic analysis of results from ongoing field trials utilizing alternative cotton defoliant applications. The trial was conducted in a 155 acre field (MK 30-4) managed by AzCal Farms, Stratford, CA in 2005 and is being replicated in 2006. The project will evaluate data collected from both years to determine the cost effectiveness of utilizing remote sensing images to guide in variable rate applications of cotton defoliants relative to conventional blanket application techniques.

If the project results are consistent with observations in other parts of the Cotton Belt a noticeable pattern regarding the benefits of variable rate chemical applications guided by remote sensing technology is emerging. Accordingly the next step in this analysis may be to develop an evaluation of a cotton enterprise where all chemical applications are based on prescriptions derived from inputs of remote sensing technology and administered in spatially variable amounts and/or concentrations.