Water Quality of Surface Runoff and Lint Yield in Irrigated Cotton Production

2018 Beltwide Conference:

Abstract Description:

Use of furrow irrigation in row crop production is a common practice through much of the Midsouth US and yet, nutrients can be transported off-site through surface runoff. A field study with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum, L.) was conducted to understand the impact of furrow tillage practices and nitrogen (N) fertilizer placement on characteristics of runoff water quality during the growing season. The experiment was designed as a randomized complete block design with conventional (CT) and conservation furrow tillage (FT) in combination with either urea (URN) broadcast or 32% urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) injected, each applied at 101 kg N ha^-1. Concentrations of ammonium (NH₄-N), nitrate (NO₃-N), nitrite (NO₂-N), and dissolved phosphorus (P) in irrigation runoff water and lint yields were measured in all treatments. The findings support the adoption of conservation practices for furrow tillage and N fertilizer placement that can reduce nutrient runoff losses in furrow irrigation systems.