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.

A single field experiment was conducted near Gila Bend, Arizona in 1991 to evaluate the effects of both soil and foliar applied potassium (K) fertilizersto Upland (Gossvpium hirsutum L.) cotton to a soil testing 315 ppm K (high). Soil applied K fertilizer at rates of 0, 75,150, and 225 lbs. K₂O/acre as K₂SO₄ were broadcast and preplant incorporated before listing. Foliar applications were made in all combinations with the various soil applied K treatments and consisted of four applications of 4.6 lbs. K₂O /acre as KNO₃ (10 lbs. KNO₃ /acre) over the first fruiting cycle, by a ground applicator with approximately 25 gallons per acre as carrier. No differences among treatments were detected by any plant growth measurement taken, plant tissue analyses, lint yield or lint quality determinations which were made over this experiment. Conclusions (preliminary) based upon these results indicate that K fertilization was not warranted under the conditions characterized in this single field experiment.

Integrated aquaculture utilizing pre- irrigation water will hypothetically increase the levels of dissolved nitrogen products in the resulting effluent. Research was performed to assess the levels of additional nutrients added. The results suggest however, that integrated aquaculture may reduce the amount of nitrogen as nitrate applied to the fields.

A field trial was initiated during the 1992 growing season to evaluate the activity of high rate Pix use on upland cotton. The cotton field used for this trial maintained high fruit retention and low to moderate height-to-node ratios throughout the growing season. Fix treatments at label and above label rates both significantly reduced lint yield compared to the non-treated check This reinforces the concept of a feedback approach using crop monitoring (vs scheduled inputs according to calendar dates) to make management decisions on crop inputs.

The commercial product PGRIV was tested in small plots on cotton at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. Multiple foliar applications of this product had no significant effect on lint yield of Pima S-7 and DPL 90 cotton.

A field trial was initiated during the 1992 growing season to evaluate the activity of Cytokin and Piz applied alone or in combination to short staple cotton. The Cytokin treatment significantly increased lint yield over the other treatments. There were no statistically significant differences between the non-treated check and any other treatment. The Cytokin treatment increased lint yield an average of 81 pounds over the check plots. Fruit retention remained high throughout the season, indicating that Pix would not normally have been needed.

The F2 and F3 progeny of interspecific cotton crosses were evaluated under field conditions. The plants were maintained under drip irrigation with stress applied by withholding water during plant development and early flowering periods. Physiological and biochemical plant responses were measured throughout the growing season on an array of representative plants from the field population. Considerable variability was found to exist among these progeny for all traits measured in both years of the present study. Responses of parental controls were quite consistent for both seasons.

Four field experiments were conducted in 1992 in Arizona to evaluate cotton crop response to several treatment regimes of multiple applications of PIXTM (an anti - gibberellicacid plant growth regulator). Treatment regimes used in 1992 employed higher rates of PIX/acre /application and extended times of applications later into the fruiting cycle than earlier experiments in 1988 through 1991. Some treatments used exceeded currently labeled maximum use rates in an attempt to evaluate the possible need of increasing maximum rates. Similar to earlier experiments, results in 1992 demonstrated the ability of some PIX treatments to significantly reduce plant height, relative to the untreated check treatments. Excellent fruit retention levels were experienced in each experimental site in 1992, irrespective of PIX treatments. Lint yield results revealed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) between several selected treatments at two of the locations in 1992.

Four commercial scale field studies were conducted in 1991 and 1992 to further evaluate Upland cotton yield and development responses to PIX application timing as a function of cotton growth stage. Treatments imposed in both years intended to further clarify some response trends observed in previous years of field studies. Treatments were all at the maximum label rate of one and one half pints with application timing the main variable. Timing was based on heat unit accumulation and resultant growth stage since date of planting. Two of the four studies resulted in significant lint yield increase of roughly one hundred pounds across all PIX treatments in contrast to the untreated check. The two studies which resulted in lint yield increases both had height:node ratio measurements in excess (vegetative) of previously defined guidelines.