Wednesday, January 6, 2016: 10:30 AM

Preservation Hall Studio 4 (New Orleans Marriott)

Sydni C. Barwick , University of Georgia

Wesley M. Porter , University of Georgia

Jared R. Whitaker , University of Georgia

Seth A. Byrd , Texas A&M University

Guy D. Collins , NC State University

Chris Tyson , University of Georgia

Billy Griffin , University of Georgia

Shane Curry , University of Georgia

Josh Lanier , University of Georgia

Brent Allen , University of Georgia

Pam Sapp , University of Georgia

Raynor Churchwell , University of Georgia

Brian Hayes , University of Georgia

Jennifer Miller , University of Georgia

Ray Hicks , University of Georgia

Peyton Sapp , University of Georgia

Brian Cresswell , University of Georgia

Andy Shirley , University of Georgia

Audio File Recorded Presentation

The main objective of this research project was to quantify varietal response of commonly planted cotton cultivars in Georgia to available soil moisture throughout the season. The secondary objectives of this research project were to determine the effect of available soil moisture on the growth stage of the crop, to determine the effect of soil moisture on crop maturity and it’s relation to varietal differences, to determine the effect of available soil moisture during critical growth stages on final seed cotton yield, and to develop an optimization matrix to aid producers in deciding which variety is the best option for specific field and environmental conditions. Rainfall, irrigation, soil moisture, and maturity data were collected throughout the cotton production season in twenty cotton variety trials in the southern region of Georgia. Soil moisture data were collected using AquaCheck capacitance probes (AquaCheck Brackenfell , Cape Town, South Africa), rainfall and irrigation data were collected using tipping bucket rain gauges equipped with Decagon EM-50-R data loggers (Decagon Devices Hopkins Ct, Pullman, WA). There were a variety of soil types, and tillage and irrigation methods utilized in the trials, which have all been noted. Preliminary results indicate that more available soil moisture during squaring resulted in a higher number of nodes above white flower (NAWF) entering bloom. The inverse applied where there was a lower amount of available water during squaring. Once the yield data has been obtained final conclusions about the effect of available soil moisture on seed cotton yield will be drawn.

The Effects of Soil Moisture on Cotton Growth and Yield: A Multi-Varietal Investigation