A single field experiment was established in 2001 at the Safford Agricultural Center to evaluate the effects planting method and seeding rate have on plant population and yield of an Upland cotton cultivar Deltapine DP655BR. Two planting methods; planting into moisture (pre-irrigate) and dry plant/water-up, were main effects with three seeding rates of 10, 20, and 30 lbs./acre as sub-effects. These effects were evaluated with respect to stand establishment and yield. Analysis of variance showed no significant differences with respect to planting method for either plant population or yield, so data was combined across main effects. Significant differences were observed in plant population and yield as a function of seeding rate. A linear increase in yield with plant population was observed. These results are not consistent with previous research performed examining plant population effects on yield. This experiment will be conducted again in 2002 in an effort to validate results observed in 2001.

Two experiments were conducted at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center in 2002 designed to evaluate cotton yield and fiber quality at various plant populations and to test cotton variety performance in a twinline per bed cotton production system. The plant population experiment consisted of four target populations which included 60, 80, 100, and 120,000 plants per acre (PPA) and two varieties, Stoneville 4892BR and AG3601. The resulting plant populations were 52800, 69200, 82800 and 96200 for ST4892BR and 54800, 70800, 90500 and 104500 for AG3601. The two lowest plant populations resulted in the highest lint yields for both varieties and were similar but there was a significant linear of decreasing yield with increasing plant population. The highest lint yields in the twin line variety experiment were DP449BR (1743 lb/acre) and DP5415R (1702 lb/acre) which were not statistically different.

Twin-line (two seed lines 7.25 in apart per bed) and conventional single seed line per bed cotton production systems were compared at 16 sites across Arizona and Blythe, Ca. in 2002. The twin-line system produced more lint than the conventional single-line system at 4 of 16 locations; the yields of the twinline and single-line systems were 1273 and 1186 lb/acre, 1572 and 1461 lb/acre, 1478 and 1290 lb/acre, and 1309 and 1210 lb/acre, respectively, at the Grasty, Ramona, Rovey, and Wells sites, respectively. There were no significant differences in yield or fiber micronaire in 7 of the 16 experiments. The twin-line system produced less lint than the conventional system at 5 of 16 locations; yields of the twin-line and single-line systems were 2019 and 2189 lb/acre, 1400 and 1489 lb/acre, 1537 and 1845 lb/acre, 1065 and 1200 lb/acre, and 1271 and 1431 lb/acre, respectively, at the Chaffin (75K), Cooley, Hull, Papago, and Wakimoto sites, respectively. Fiber micronaire was reduced in five experiments; the micronaire values were 4.25 and 4.73, 4.46 and 4.78, 4.60 and 4.85, 4.76 and 4.98, and 4.93 and 5.15, in the twin-line and single-line systems, respectively, at the Rogers, Papago, Grasty, Hull, and Perry sites, respectively. Research will continue in 2003 in order to develop system comparison data for multiple years and to elucidate the reasons for the variable results measured in the 2002 cotton season.

A single field study was established during the 2002 growing season to evaluate the effects of planting date (PD) on the yield and fiber quality characteristics of several cotton varieties commonly grown in the Upper Gila River Valley of Safford. Seven varieties were chosen for evaluation in 2002 ranging from early to medium-full varieties. These seven varieties were planted on three separate planting dates (2 April, 15 April, and 3 May) in a split-plot within a randomized complete block design with four replications. Overall analysis of variance revealed significant differences due to PD (OSL=0.0291) but no significant differences among varieties (OSL=0.5164) or in the interaction between PD and variety (OSL=0.4052). Four of the varieties evaluated produced the highest yield with the later PD (3 May). The remaining three varieties performed best with the 2nd PD (15 April).

A field experiment was conducted at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC – 1100 ft. elevation) in 2002 to evaluate plant population relationships with conventional row spacing under a range of high population conditions with new Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) varieties. The varieties, which included AG3601, DP458BR, and STV4892BR, were each planted to six densities of 15,000, 30,000, 45,000, 60,000, 75,000, and 90,000. Inseason plant measurement data revealed crop vigor and fruit retention levels were well within the optimum threshold for all varieties and populations. There was no interaction between variety and population in terms of lint yield and fiber quality parameters. However, results show significant differences in lint yield and fiber strength among varieties but not the fiber micronaire. In addition, higher population had no significant effect on lint yield or fiber quality. Higher populations had no effect in lowering fiber micronaire to premium levels as well.

Arizona has experienced a trend of increasing fiber micronaire values in recent years resulting in substantial discounts on fiber value. There is some evidence to suggest that irrigation termination (IT) management can influence fiber micronaire. Field studies were conducted in 2000, 2001, and 2002 at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (1,175ft. elevation) and in 2001 and 2002 at the Yuma Valley Agricultural Center (YVAC; 150 ft. elevation) to evaluate the effects of three dates of irrigation termination on the yield and fiber micronaire of several Upland cotton varieties. Three dates of irrigation termination (IT1, IT2, and IT3) were imposed based upon crop development into cutout. The earliest irrigation termination date, IT1 was made slightly ahead of an optimum date to provide sufficient soil-water such that bolls set at the end of the first fruiting cycle would not be water stressed and could be fully matured. Thus, the IT1 date was imposed to try to reduce overall micronaire. The second termination (IT2) date received one additional irrigation over an optimal point for the completion of the first cycle fruit set and two irrigations beyond IT1. The final (IT3) date (late September) was imposed so that soil moisture would be sufficient for the development of bolls set up through the last week of September, thus providing full top-crop potential. In general, lint yield and micronaire results revealed significant differences among the IT treatments. Micronaire and lint yield values consistently increased with later IT dates.

Arizona has experienced a trend toward increasing fiber micronaire values in recent years resulting in substantial discounts on fiber value. There is some evidence to suggest management can influence fiber micronaire. Approximately 560 cases were identified in cotton production areas in Arizona ranging from the lower Colorado River Valley to near 2,000 ft. elevation with grower cooperators in the 2000-2002 seasons. Field records were developed for each field by use of the University of Arizona Cotton Monitoring System (UA-CMS) for information such as variety, planting date, fertility management, irrigation schedules, irrigation termination, defoliation, etc. Routine plant measurements were conducted to monitor crop growth and development and to identify fruiting patterns and retention through the season. As the crop approached cutout and the lower bolls began to open, open boll samples were then collected from the lowest four, first position bolls (theoretically the bolls with the highest micronaire potential on the plant) from 10 plants, ginned, and the fiber was then analyzed for micronaire (low 4). From that point forward, total boll counts per unit area and percent open boll measurements were made on 14-day intervals until the crop was defoliated. Following defoliation, final plant maps were performed. Relationships among low 4 sample micronaire, irrigation termination (IT), defoliation, and final crop micronaire were analyzed. Results indicate strong relationships with final fiber micronaire for factors such as total heat units (HU) accumulated by the crop from planting to IT, variety, region of production (environment), and green boll load at cutout. Results showed that as total HU accumulated from planting to IT exceeded 2945 that micronaire levels increase significantly, especially for some districts (Paloma and Maricopa) and producers.

A series of studies were conducted around the southeastern region of the state during the 2002 cotton growing season to evaluate the effects of a twin-line (TL) planting configuration on fiber quality and lint yield. Two of the three studies were conducted on grower cooperator fields with large block comparisons or demonstrations of TL versus single-line (SL) configurations. Fiber quality was essentially the same for both demonstration locations. Yield differences were observed in both locations with the Graham County location experiencing a 130 lb lint yield decrease in the TL plots. The Cochise County location experienced a 328 lb lint yield increase in the TL plots. The third study was a split plot within a randomized complete block design with planting configuration (TL or SL) as the main effect and variety as the sub-unit effect. . No significant differences were detected in the main effect, sub effect or the interaction with respect to yield. Trends were observed however, indicating less difference between the TL and SL with respect to yield for varieties with a more columnar growth pattern. Fiber quality results indicated no significant differences among any of the treatments

A field experiment was conducted during the 2002 growing season to evaluate a central Arizona grower’s method of addressing cotton fiber micronaire based on the management and timing of his agronomic inputs. The success of his inseason management, irrigation termination decision combined with his method of defoliation has led to a consistent production of premium fiber micronaire in recent years. Steps to accomplish crop defoliation and the subsequent mixing of seed cotton from the top (younger) and lower (older) bolls achieved at harvest are intended to keep the micronaire at premium levels and further prevent discounts on the crop. A companion study was conducted at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC-1,175 ft. elevation) in an effort to duplicate the grower’s late season crop management operations. This study consisted of two treatments, a control (conventional) which received an application of 10 oz. Ginstar combined with ½ pt. surfactant in 20 gal./acre carrier and a treatment which received the conventional treatment in addition to a pre-defoliation Accelerate and a post-defoliation Gramoxone applications consistent with the grower’s methods. Plant growth and development measurements taken inseason revealed that height to node ratio (HNR) and fruit retention (FR) levels estimates were similar for both sites (grower fields and MAC study). Lint yield estimates indicated no difference between the conventional defoliation and the treatment receiving additional compounds at MAC. Results of the analyses performed on final micronaire data also indicated no significant difference in micronaire values between the two methods of defoliation and late season management at MAC. Fiber micronaire values exceeded the premium level (>5.0) for both treatments at MAC. However, results obtained from the cooperator-grower gin records revealed that average fiber micronaire for all of the fields monitored in this project were at premium level (<5.0).

A field experiment was conducted during the 2002 and 2003 growing seasons to evaluate a central Arizona grower’s method of addressing high cotton fiber micronaire based on the management and timing of agronomic inputs. In-season management and irrigation termination combined with defoliation methods has led to consistent production of premium fiber micronaire in recent years. Steps to accomplish crop defoliation and the subsequent mixing of seed cotton from the top (younger) and lower (older) bolls achieved at harvest are intended to keep the micronaire at premium levels and further prevent discounts on the crop. A companion study was conducted in 2002 at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC-1,175 ft. elevation) in an effort to duplicate the grower’s late season crop management operations. This study consisted of two treatments, a control (conventional) which received an application of 10 oz. Ginstar combined with 1/2 pt. surfactant in 20 gal./acre carrier and a treatment which received the conventional treatment in addition to a predefoliation of Accelerate and a post-defoliation of Gramoxone, consistent with the grower’s methods. At the grower’s location, data was collected during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. In 2002 and 2003, plant growth and development measurements taken in-season revealed that height to node ratio (HNR) and fruit retention (FR) levels tracked well and were similar for both sites and years (grower’s fields and MAC study). Lint yield estimates indicated no difference between conventional defoliation and the treatment receiving additional compounds at MAC in 2002. Average yield estimates were high for the cooperator-grower fields in both the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Results of the analysis performed on final micronaire data indicated no significant difference in micronaire values between the two methods of defoliation and late season management at MAC. In addition, fiber micronaire values exceeded the premium level (>5.0) for both treatments at MAC. In contrast, the data of 2002 and 2003 obtained from the cooperator-grower gin records revealed consistent results for average fiber micronaire for all of the fields monitored in this project which were at premium levels (<5.0).