An experiment was conducted at the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center, Maricopa, Arizona in 1999 to compare and evaluate agronomic and economic differences between Ultra Narrow Row (UNR) and conventional cotton row spacing systems with respect to yield, fiber quality, earliness potential, plant growth and development, and production costs. Row spacing was 10 and 40 inches for the UNR and conventional systems, respectively. Two varieties were evaluated within each row spacing, Sure Grow 747 (SG 747) and Delta Pine 429RR (DP 429RR). Lygus populations were extremely high in the Maricopa, Arizona region in 1999 which resulted in poor fruit retention from early through mid-season. As a result of poor boll load through mid-season, the UNR plots were irrigated and grown later into the season than desired along with the conventional cotton in order to set and develop a later season boll load. The mean lint yield averaged across row spacing was significantly greater (P=0.05) in the UNR row spacing at 1334 lb/A than for the conventional row spacing at 1213 lb/A. SG 747 produced 1426 and 1337lb/A of lint in the UNR and conventional systems, respectively. DP 429RR produced 1242 and 1089 lb/A of lint in the UNR and conventional systems respectively. Fiber grades were all 21 or 31 in both UNR and conventional systems. Micronaire was 4.9 or less in both varieties within the UNR system. Micronaire was high at 5.3 in the conventionally produced SG 747 resulting in discount but was acceptable at 4.7 in the conventionally produced DP 429RR. Length and strength measurements met base standards in all cotton variety and row spacing combinations. Neither the conventional or the UNR cotton production systems were profitable due primarily to high chemical insect control costs and early season boll loss. However, UNR production costs were lower by $0.09 per pound than in the conventional system on a cash cost basis and $0.14 per pound lower when considering total costs including variable and ownership costs.

In two 1999 Arizona studies, a preplant incorporated (PPI) application of Prowl (2.4 pt/A) or Treflan (0.75 lb a.i./A) followed by a topical Roundup Ultra (1 qt/A) application at the 3 to 4 true leaf cotton growth stage provided good weed control. At the University of Arizona Maricopa Agricultural Center field that had low density weed populations, a postemergence topical Staple (1.8 oz/A) application also provided good weed control was more expensive. At the Buckeye, Arizona study site, a PPI application of Prowl at a reduced rate (1.2 pt/A) was as effective as the full rate (2.4 pt/A) but a preemergence application of Prowl (2.4 pt/A) was not as effective as either of the PPI Prowl rates or PPI Treflan (0.75 lb a.i./A). A postemergence topical Staple application (1.8 oz/A) following the Roundup Ultra application did not significantly improve weed control. After one field season of experimentation and observation in Arizona UNR cotton, experience suggests that in fields with low to moderate weed populations, a PPI Prowl or Treflan application followed by a postemergence topical Roundup Ultra application will provide acceptable weed control in most fields. However, the presence of nutsedge or other difficult to control weeds may require two postemergence topical Roundup Ultra application prior to the four leaf growth stage of cotton. More research is needed to further explore weed control options in Arizona UNR cotton production systems.

A preliminary investigation was made in Ultra-narrow row cotton production on the Safford Agricultural Center to see if there was any promise in that technology for cotton producers in the high deserts of Arizona. Increases in plant populations to near 100,000 plants per acre in single lines, double lines and quadruple lines per bed were the goals of the study. In-season plant mapping to evaluate differences in plant growth characteristics were done along with yield measurements to evaluate differences. Yield increases were not seen with increases in plant populations in single row plantings nor in multiple row plantings.

Seven commercial ultra narrow row (UNR) cotton fields were monitored on a weekly basis in Maricopa County, AZ in 1999. Varieties of Delta Pine and Sure Grow were planted from April 15 to June 1 and reached cut-out after accumulating 1913 to 2327 heat units after planting. Average yield for UNR cotton was 2.1 bales per acre which was 0.4 bales per acre lower than the five year average for cotton planted on conventional row spacings. Fiber quality from gin records for 801 bales had average micronaire readings of 4.54 and grades of 11 and 21 for 74% of bales. Discounts for extraneous matter (bark, grass, and cracked seed) was 5.4% and average strength (34.8) and staple lengths (27.12) were in acceptable ranges. Total cash costs ranged from $450 to $705.

Ultra Narrow Row (UNR) and conventional (CNV) cotton production systems were compared with respect to agronomic practices, yield, fiber quality, and production costs in experiments conducted in 1999 and 2000 in central Arizona. Cotton rows were 10 and 40 inches apart in the UNR and CNV systems, respectively. In 1999, the average lint yield in the UNR system, 1334 lb/A, was significantly greater than the 1213 lb/A yield of the CNV system. Similar results were obtained in 2000 with yields of 1472 and 1439 lb/A for the UNR and CNV systems, respectively. Fiber grades of both systems were comparable with most bales receiving a grade of 21 in 1999. The average bale grades in 2000 were 11 and 21 in the UNR and CNV systems, respectively. The quality of the fiber produced in both systems was also comparable with staple and strength measurements meeting base standards in both years. However, there was a consistent difference between the UNR and CNV systems in both years with respect to micronaire. Micronaire averaged 4.5 and 4.0 in the UNR system in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and 5.0 and 4.9 in the CNV system in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Variable growing costs were $607 and $446 for the UNR system in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and $660 and $519 for the CNV system in 1999 and 2000, respectively. Harvest and post-harvest variable costs were $234 and $209 in the UNR system in 1999 and 2000, respectively, and $217 and $224 in the CNV system in 1999 and 2000, respectively. The economic data indicated that the UNR system reduced production costs and increased profitability without sacrificing lint yield or quality. However, these experiments also indicated that many production challenges such as planting and obtaining adequate plant populations, managing plant height control, and weed control need further study.

A field experiment was conducted in 2000 to evaluate narrow (30") and ultra narrow (10") row spacing cotton production systems. The study was conducted at a commercial farm located near Buckeye, AZ. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. The treatments included 10" row spacings that were harvested with a finger stripper, 30" row spacings harvested with a brush stripper, and 30" row spacings harvested with a spindle picker. Plant growth and development was not affected by row spacing throughout the growing season. No significant difference was observed for lint yield however, gin turnout was slightly lower for stripper harvested treatments. Fiber quality measurements were similar for both row spacing with the exception of fiber micronaire which was lower in stripper harvested treatments. Bark was a major problem with stripper harvested treatments with at least 92% of bales receiving a discount compared with 36% of spindle harvested bales.

The continuing investigation in ultra-narrow row cotton production has not produced a definitive answer to whether this practice would be economically feasible in this area. Results of this season showed that planting two seed rows on a bed can produce yields in excess of those yields produced with a single seed row, where the plant populations are comparable. This configuration can be harvested with a conventional spindle picker. Plant mapping data and HVI data are shown for all treatments in this study.

Ultra-narrow row (UNR) cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a production system using high plant populations in reduced row spacings. The responses of this production system to nitrogen fertilizer have not been fully investigated. Evaluations of yield and earliness of harvest are also important. A three-year study was conducted at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station farm, Burleson County, TX, on a Ships clay (very-fine, mixed, active, thermic Chromic Hapluderts) and a Weswood silty clay loam (fine-silty, mixed, superactive, thermic Udifluventic Haplustepts). A split plot design was used. Nitrogen fertilizer rates of 0, 50, 101, and 151 kg N ha-1 were applied as the whole plots and row spacings of 19, 38, and 76 cm were established as the split plots. Data included lint yield and yield components, as well as earliness of crop maturity and earliness-related parameters such as boll distribution. Lint yield was increased by higher nitrogen rate. There was no nitrogen rate by row spacing interaction on lint yield, implying fertilizer rates do not need to be changed for UNR systems. Reductions in row spacing did not significantly affect lint yield in any year. Responses such as reduced bolls per plant, increased plant populations, increased ginout, and decreased boll size were often significant and combined to allow the crop to maintain equivalent yields as row spacings were reduced. The slight UNR earliness advantages were probably due to changes in boll distribution. Based on these results, increases in lint yield and earliness may not reliably contribute to the profitability of UNR cotton.