Early Season Nutrient Accumulation By Cotton Following a Crimson Clover Winter Cover Crop

Nutrient accumulation and biomass of young cotton plants were measured in a two year study where cotton was grown following a crimson clover winter cover crop. Treatments in the study were tillage (conventional and conservation) and cover crop (clover and winter fallow). Data were collected in plots where a continuous comparison of tillage methods has been conducted since 1978. Cotton biomass samples were collected at approximately three, five, and seven weeks after emergence. Ground subsamples were analyzed for nutrient elements.  Yield was determined at the end of the season.