The Response of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) to Slow Release Foliar Fertilizer

This field study was designed to evaluate the effect of a slow release foliar N fertilizer to increase N uptake and ultimately yield. All treatments received a uniform soil application of 75 lb N/acre at early square. Immediately following early flower, three rates of Nitamin^® (Koch Agronomic Services) were applied equivalent to 3 lb N/acre, 6 lb N/ acre and 12 lb N/acre so as to reach and exceed the optimum rate of the foliar fertilizer. Treatments were compared to a standard foliar Urea check equivalent to 6 lb N/ac in each replication. Measurements were made of leaf and petiole N status, seed carbohydrate content, as well as boll number, boll weight and yield. Regression analysis was conducted to determine the optimum rate of Nitamin and its relative effectiveness compared to the standard foliar Urea check. Preliminary results suggest Nitamin has the potential to increase N uptake and yield.