Dryland Seeding Rate by Planting Pattern Trials in the Texas High Plains

Seed and technology costs for dryland producers in the Texas High Plains are important considerations. In the past, many dryland producers have routinely planted in a skip row pattern. With the release of Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex technologies, many questions concerning the lower end of seeding rates have been asked. Additionally, planting patterns have also come into question, with many producers tending toward solid planting. This project was initiated in 2003 and conducted for six years at the Lamesa AG-CARES facility. The project was lost due to drought in 2006. Planting patterns included solid and plant two and skip one row. Row spacing was 40 inches. Seeding rates down the row were 2, 4, and 6 seed per ft. A factorial arrangement of treatments was utilized with planting pattern as factor a and seeding rate down the row as factor b. Three replicates were used and the plot dimensions were 16 rows x 250 ft. Lint yield (on a land-acre basis) and fiber properties were determined. Using the respective lint yield and fiber properties and associated seed and technology fee costs, an economic determination was made. Results from this multi-year project will be presented.