Nitrogen Fertility Management for Irrigated and Rain-Fed Cotton Production in the Mid-South

Much time and energy has been expended in determining economic fertility management for cotton in the Mid-South.  Producers continue to look for ways to enhance production while decreasing the costs of inputs.  In more recent years, research emphasis has been directed toward alternative strategies for managing fertilizer N and/or mechanisms for enhancing nutrient uptake.  Coated materials have been developed that delay nitrogen (N) release or that can be used for carries of other nutrients along with N.  Polymer coatings have been used in certain regions of the country to control N release but are still limited by interactions with the environment.  Multi-year field studies have been underway for several years at the Delta Research and Extension Center (irrigated) and at the Tribbett Satellite Farm (rain-fed) to investigate cotton production as influenced by N rates and alternative N management strategies.  The studies are replicated field trials with 4-5 replications of treatments arranged in randomized complete block designs.  Seedcotton and lint yields have been calculated based on machine-picked data and sub-samples to determine lint percent and lint yield.  These alternative management systems are compared to standard production practices.