Planting Date and Fertilizer Rate Effects On Selected Cotton Cultivars in New Mexico

Field trials were conducted near Las Cruces and Artesia, NM to test the response of two transgenic cotton cultivars (PHY 375 WRF and PHY 499 WRF) and two traditional cotton cultivars (Acala 1517-08 and Acala-GLS) to planting date and N fertilization. Fertilizer rates of 100 Ibs N/acre (Low) and 200 Ibs N/acre (High) were applied to respective treatments before bloom. Three planting dates were established at the Las Cruces site (April 13, April 27 and May 16) and two planting dates in Artesia (May 3 and May 21) in 2012.

Measurements that were taken included lint turnout, boll weight, seedcotton, lint and seed yields.

Results show that the cultivar effect was significant for most of the measured parameters in Las Cruces and Artesia, while the planting date and the fertilizer rate did not show significant differences for many of the measurements. The lint yields were significantly different between cultivars at both sites. PHY 499 and Acala 1517-08 yields were not significantly different in Las Cruces, while PHY 375 and Acala-GLS had significantly lower yields than Acala 1517-08. In Artesia, the yield of PHY 499 was the highest and significantly more than Acala-GLS yield. However, lint yields of PHY 375 and Acala 1517 were not significantly different from PHY 499 in Artesia. Cotton seed yields were not significantly different in Artesia, but in Las Cruces, Acala 1517 had significant higher seed yield compared to the other cultivars tested. There was also a significant interaction between cultivar and planting date for the lint yield in Las Cruces.