Phosphate (P) adsorption of 6 agriculturally- important Arizona soils was studied by use of adsorption isotherm experiments and with conventional Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models. Adsorption experiments were conducted at 25°C where each soil was placed in a 10:1 (solution:soil) ratio using 0.01M CaCl₂ as a background solution. Each soil was subjected to 4 levels of inorganic P addition using Ca(H₂PO₄)₂H₂O as the P source. Use of the Langmuir model was significant in all cases (P ≤ 0.05) with r² values ranging from 0.93 to 0.99. Capacity parameter estimates obtained from the models indicated P adsorption potentials of up to 357 lb. acre⁻¹ (818 lb. P₂0₅ acre⁻¹) for the soils studied. Application of the Freundlich model revealed r² values of 0.88 to 0.99 with all models proving to be significant (P ≤ 0.05).

Two alternative tillage systems used significantly less energy than conventional tillage. The Sundance system used the least energy, averaging 35 horsepower-hours per acre (Hp-hr /ac), the Uprooter Shredder-Mulcher (USM) was intermediate at 50 Hp-hr /ac, and the conventional system used the most energy at 69 Hp-hr /ac. These energy savings translated directly into cost savings of about the same proportions. The USM and Sundance systems can plow down and prepare the next seedbed in about one-half the time that conventional tillage requires. In the two years of testing we could not measure any significant differences in cotton yield. So far, we have not found any significant differences in soil compaction.

Two field experiments were conducted in 1989 in Arizona to compare several methods of nitrogen (N) management in Upland and Pima cotton. Standard preplant, preplant plus sidedress, and use of soil and petiole analysis for NO₃⁻-N were the basic methods of N fertilization management compared. A nonfertilized check treatment also was included with the N management treatments, which were arranged in a randomized complete block design in each experiment. Preseason soil samples and a series of in- season petiole samples were taken for all treatments and analyzed for NO₃⁻-N. The concentrations of NO₃⁻-N in the petioles reflected the boll load obtained and the crop fruiting patterns as well as the N fertilization patterns in the respective treatments. Final lint yield analysis revealed distinct differences among the treatments imposed at the Maricopa location but no statistically significant differences at the Safford location.

No description available.

Four field experiments were established in Arizona in 1988 and six in 1989 to evaluate the effects of banded phosphorus (P) fertilizer on cotton. Experiments each year involved both Upland (Gossvpium hirsutum L.) and American Pima (Q. barbadense L.). Banded applications of P fertilizer were made with placement of the concentrated band of fertilizer 6 in. below and 3 in. to the side of the zone of seed placement. Fertilizer sources of P₂O₅ were with 10-34-0 or 16-20-0. At all locations, a series of rates of applied P₂O₅ were established as the treatment variables, including a check (0 lb P₂O₅/acre). Rates of applied P ranged from 0 to 90 lb P₂O₅/acre, at increments of approximately 30 lb. P₂O₅/acre. In all cases, treatments in the field were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plant measurements for plant height, flower numbers per unit area, number of mainstem nodes, and nodes to the first fndting branch were initiated by the fifth true leaf stage to evaluate plant response in terms of growth and development. Plant tissue samples were also taken at several stages of growth from each experiment throughout the growing season. Tissue samples consisted of petioles and leaf blades from the uppermost fully developed leaves. Petioles were analyzed for extractable PO₄-P and leaf blades for total P. Lint yield measurements also were taken. With the exception of one of the experimental locations in each year, no statistically significant differences (P≤0.05) were found among any treatments for any of the plant growth parameters. The same was true with regard to petiole PO₄-P and leaf blade total P levels measured. No significant differences among treatments were found for either Upland or Pima cotton with regard to lint yield in 1988 or 1989.

Two field experiments were conducted in Arizona in 1990 at two locations ( Maricopa and Safford). The purposes of the experiments were to validate and refine nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations for both Upland and Pima cotton. The experiments each utilized N management tools such as pre - season soil tests for NO₃⁻-N, in-season plant tissue testing (petioles) for N fertilirystatus, and crop monitoring to ascertain crop fruiting patterns and crop N needs. Results at both locations revealed a strong relationship between the crop fruit retention levels and N needs for the crop. This pattern was further reflected in final yield analysis in response to the N fertilization regimes used. At Maricopa, fruit retention levels were low, petiole NO₃⁻-N concentrations relatively high, and yield responses to higher and later applications of fertilizerN were negative. At Safford, fruit retention levels were higher, petiole concentrations of NO₃⁻-N reflected strong crop demand, and a positive response to rates of fertilizer N up to 170 lbs. N/acre was measured.

Over a three year study, two reduced tillage systems used significantly less energy than conventional tillage. The Sundance system averaged 46% of the energy used by the conventional system, and the Uprooter-Shredder-Mulcher (USM) averaged 65% of the energy used by the conventional system. These energy savings translate directly into cost savings of about the same proportions. Additionally, the Sundance and USM systems can plow down and prepare the next seedbed in about one-half the time that conventional tillage requires. In three years of testing we have not detected any significant differences in soil compaction, and we have not measured any yield reductions from these reduced tillage systems.

Two field experiments were established in Arizona in 1990 to evaluate the effects of banded phosphorus (P) fertilizer on cotton. Experiments involved both Upland (Gossvpium ltirsutum, L.) and American Pima (Q. barbadense L.). Banded applications of P fertilizerwere made with placement of the concentrated band of fertilizer 6 in. below and 3-6 in. to the side of the zone of seed placement. The P₂O₅ was supplied from 10-34-0. Rates of applied P ranged from 0 to 160 lb P₂O₅ /acre. In one experiment, treatments consisting of 5 to 10 lbs. Zn/acre were included in all possible combinations with the P₂O₅ treatments. In all cases, treatments in the field were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Plant measurements for plant height, flower numbers per unit area, number of mainstem nodes, and nodes to the first fruiting branch were initiated by the fifth true leaf stage to evaluate plant response in terms of growth and development. Plant tissue samples were also taken at several stages of growth from each experiment throughout the growing season. Tissue samples consisted of petioles from the uppermost fully - developed leaves. Petioles were analyzed for extractable PO₄-P. Lint yield measurements also were taken. No statistically significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) were found among any treatments for any of the plant growth parameters. The same was true with regard to petiole PO₄-P levels measured. No significant differences were detected among Upland or Pima cotton lint yields in response to the applications of P fertilizers.

The results of field studies with N rates from 0 to 336 kg/ha, in combination with two growth regulators, ethephon (Prep® ɑ-chloroethyl phosphonic acid, Rhone-Poulenc Ag Co., Research Triangle Parr NC) and thidiazuron (Dropp® N- phenyl -N' -1,2,3 -thiadiazol -5ylurea, Nor-Am Ag Prod. Inc., Naperville, IL). Results showed that sidedress applications of N (ammonium nitrate) to cotton did not influence the defoliation effects of ethephon and thidiazuron, or reduce number of immature green bolls at harvest. Under short-season conditions, sidedress N applications did not effect yields. Ethephon and thidiazuron at the rates tested did not affect cotton lint yields. Thidiazuron alone or in combination with ethephon resulted in high percentages of cotton defoliation.

Two field experiments were conducted in Arizona in 1991 at two locations (Maricopa and Safford). The purposes of the experiments were to validate and refine nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations for both Upland and Pima cotton. The experiments each utilized N management tools such as pre-season soil tests for NO₃⁻-N, in- season plant tissue testing (petioles) for N fertility status, and crop monitoring to ascertain crop fruiting patterns and crop N needs. Results at both locations revealed a strong relationship between the crop fruit retention levels and N needs for the crop. This pattern was further reflected in final yield analysis as a response to the N fertilization regimes used.