Numerous field experiments were conducted during the 1997 through 1999 cotton seasons involving macro and micronutrient fertilization. The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate University of Arizona (UA) fertility guidelines with respect to soil test results and to possibly fine-tune or better calibrate these guidelines for common Arizona soils and cotton growing regimes. Field experiments studied the effects of a single nutrient or nutrient combinations on both Upland and Pima varieties. Results from these experiments, based on soil test information, quantitative plant measurements, and lint yield showed no significant difference due to treatments for all sites except for a phosphorus study conducted during the 1998 season in Graham County and a phosphorus study conducted during the 1999 season in Pinal County. All results reinforce current UA soil testing guidelines for cotton.

Numerous field experiments were conducted at a wide range of sites in Arizona from 1988 through 1999 involving phosphate (P) fertilization of cotton (Gossypium spp.). A total of 21 site-years were used to study the effects of P on both Upland (G. hirsutum L.) and Pima (G. barbadense L.) varieties. The purpose of these experiments was to evaluate University of Arizona (UA) soil fertility guidelines with respect to soil test results (NaHCO3 extractable P) and to possibly fine-tune or calibrate these guidelines in relation to soil test P, applied P, and yield for common Arizona soils used in cotton production. Results from these experiments, based on soil test information, plant measurements, and lint yield showed no significant difference (P 0.05) due to treatments for all the studies with the exception of one P study conducted in Graham County in 1998 and another P study conducted in Pinal County in 1999. The 1998 Graham County site had a preseason soil test value of 7.6 ppm NaHCO₃ extractable P. The 1999 Pinal County site had a preseason soil test value of 3.0 ppm NaHCO3 extractable P. Analysis of yield results vs. soil P show that soil test P levels greater than 5 ppm are consistently sufficient for both Upland and Pima cotton. Yield results vs. applied P (lbs. P₂O₅/acre) for both Upland and Pima did not indicate a positive response over the rates of fertilization tested (20-160 lbs. P₂O₅/acre). Based on the results from these studies, the current UA soil fertility guidelines for P fertilization of cotton appear to be valid. Furthermore, the data indicates that the UA soil fertility guidelines may be further refined to provide the following categories: < 5 ppm = high probability of response to an added P fertilization; 6-10 ppm = medium probability of response to an added P fertilization; and > 10 ppm = low probability of response to an added P fertilization.

A two site evaluation of a calcium (Ca²⁺)-based soil conditioner was conducted during the 1999 cotton season. The two locations included one at the Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) in Maricopa, AZ and the other was on a growercooperator field in Tacna, AZ. Both studies involved the use of CN-9, a Ca – nitrate solution with 9% nitrogen and 11% Ca. At MAC theCN-9 solution was sprayed over the seedbed post planting but prior to the first water-up irrigation. At the Tacna site CN-9 was applied in a sidedress application at planting. Routine plant measurements were taken throughout the duration of both studies and lint yield estimates were made at each location at the end of the season. No significant differences due to the application of CN-9 were detected in any data collected.

Ironite and phosphorus were applied to plots planted to long and short staple cotton to find their effect on crop development and lint yield. The soil analysis indicated sufficient iron and phosphorous in the soil for cotton production and that yield increases from additions of these elements were unlikely. No statistically significant increases in lint yield were seen with the addition of Ironite nor phosphorous fertilizer. However, an interesting yield trend with ironite was seen in long staple cotton.

A single field study was conducted on a sodium-affected soil at the University of Arizona’s Maricopa Agricultural Center (MAC) in 1999. Deltapine DP33B was dry planted and watered-up on 13 April 1999. Two treatments were evaluated; treatment 1 received no acid and treatment 2 received water-run acid applications. The acid used in this evaluation was sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and was applied at approximately 11 gallons acid/acre at each scheduled irrigation throughout the entire growing season. All other agronomic inputs and decisions were uniformly applied to both treatments. Lint yields were not significantly different.

Two field experiments were conducted in Arizona in 1999 at two locations (Maricopa and Marana). The Maricopa experiment has been conducted for nine consecutive seasons, the Marana site was initiated in 1994. The purposes of the experiments were to validate and refine nitrogen (N) fertilization recommendations for Upland 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. At each location, treatments varied from a conservative to a more aggressive approach of N management. Results at each location 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. The higher, more aggressive, N application regimes did not benefit yields at any location. In 1999, fruit retention levels were low and crop vigor was high at the Maricopa site. As a result, even slight increases in N fertilization and crop vigor translated into lower yield.

A field experiments was conducted during the 2001 growing season to evaluate the effect of Manganese (Mn) fertility on growth, development, and yield of a commonly grown upland cotton variety in the Yuma Valley of Arizona. This project also provided an evaluation of the University of Arizona (UA) critical level for Mn fertility for cotton (1.0 ppm Mn). The study consisted of two treatments, which included an untreated control and a treatment receiving two foliar applications each of a pint of the product 3-0-0-27.4 using 18gal./acre carrier. Plant growth and development measurements, including estimates of fruit retention (FR) levels and height to node ratios (HNR’s) were similar for both treatments during the season. There was not a significant difference in lint yield between the control (untreated) and the treated plots. These results support the current UA Mn fertility guideline for cotton on not applying Mn when soil test levels exceed 1.0 ppm.

Field experiments were conducted in Arizona in 2001 at three locations (Maricopa, Marana, and Safford). The Maricopa and Safford experiments have been conducted for14 consecutive seasons and the Marana site was initiated in 1994. The original purposes of the experiments were to test nitrogen (N) fertilization strategies and to validate and refine N fertilization recommendations for Upland (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and American Pima (G. barbadense L.) cotton. The experiments have 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. At each location, treatments varied from a conservative to a more aggressive approach of N management. Results at each location 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. The higher, more aggressive, N application regimes did not benefit yields at any location. Generally, the more conservative, feedback approach to N management provided optimum yields at all locations. In 2001, a transition project evaluating the residual N effects associated with each treatment regime was initiated and no fertilizer N was applied. Therefore, all N taken-up by the crop was derived from residual soil N. In 2001 there were no significant differences among the original fertilizer N regimes in terms of residual soil NO₃⁻-N concentrations, crop growth, development, lint yield, or fiber properties. The lint yields were very uniform at each location and averaged 1500, 1100, and 850 lbs. lint/acre for Maricopa, Marana, and Safford, respectively.

A series of three phosphorus (P) fertility experiments were conducted in 2001 in Graham County. These studies follow similar experiments conducted over the past three seasons. Results from 2001 were consistent with previous results indicating a positive relationship between yield and P fertilizer applications in relation to soil test indices. Modest yield increases were observed from a minimum of 25 to 80 lbs. lint per acre with an application of approximately 70 lbs. of P as P₂O₅ per acre. Yield differences from previous years have been as great as 170 lbs. of lint per acre. With the increased use of UAN-32 as a primary fertilizer source and a reduction in the application of P fertilizers, which is typically associated with a rotation of small grains, a depletion of soil P is a potential result. A continuation of this research with varying rates of P fertilizer will take place in 2002 in an attempt to relate soil test P levels to yield increases observed in recent years. The results of this research demonstrate the possible need for a return to use of fertilizers with supplemental P for optimum yields that would be predictable based on soil test results.

Two field experiments were conducted during the 2001 growing season to address potassium (K) fertility response of two commonly grown varieties of cotton in Arizona. The studies were conducted near Coolidge, AZ in two separate fields and each consisted of two treatments, an untreated control and a treatment receiving a preseason side-dress application of K fertilizer. Plant growth and development estimates revealed that fruit retention (FR) and height to node ratio (HNR) levels were similar for both treatments in both fields. Lint yield data also indicated no difference between the fertilized and unfertilized treatments in both fields.