Advanced technologies to produce synthetic polymers such as polyacrylamide (PAM, and polymaleic anhydride (PMA) have produced products which may be economically feasible alternatives to traditional treatments such as gypsum in the desert Southwest. In 1995 a single field study was conducted at Paloma Ranch, west of Gila Bend in Maricopa County Arizona Upland Nucoton 35, DPL' was dry planted and watered -up on 10 and 11 April. Treatments consisted of various rates and times of applications of Sper Sal™, which included a check (no Sper Sal), 1 and 2 qts. /acre with the water-up irrigation; 1 and 2 qts./acre with a mid - season irrigation; and 1 qt. /acre mid-season following 1 or 2 qts./acre with the water -up irrigation. No differences among treatments were detected among any treatments in terms of plant growth and development or final lint yields. There were no early-season differences in soil crusting among the various soil amendment treatments in 1995, as opposed to 1994 when a severe rain occurred immediately following planting.

Four alternative tillage systems were compared to a conventional system at The University of Arizona Agricultural Centers in Marana and Yuma. The alternative tillage systems offer significant savings in energy, time, and cost. None of the reduced tillage systems were associated with a reduction in cotton yield.

Two prototypes of a stalk burial implement were tested for energy requirements at the University of California, Shaffer Research Station. Both versions of the implement are designed to bury the cotton stalks in a concentrated zone and reform the bed in the same location. To plow under shredded stalks, both versions of the implement required less energy than a conventional tillage systems typical of the San Joaquin Valley of California. Both stalk burial implements were also used to plow under whole cotton stalks. This offers additional energy savings by eliminating the stalk shredding operation.

A series of boll measurements were taken at numerous locations across the state in 1995 in an attempt to continue to develop a yield prediction model that began in 1993. Results from 1995 showed the strongest relationship between final open boll counts and yield. Based on these results, data was collected in 1996 from several locations around the state. Boll counts were made just prior to harvest and then correlated to yield. Results showed that a good estimate for lint yield could be obtained using the factor of approximately 13 bolls/row-ft./bale of lint for Upland cotton on a 38 to 40 inch row spacing.

A single field experiment was conducted in 1996 at Maricopa, AZ to compare a scheduled approach (based on stage of growth) versus a feedback approach (based on vegetative status) to both nitrogen (1V) and mepiquat chloride (PIX™) applications on Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). PIX feedback treatments were based upon fruit retention (FR) levels and height to node ratios (HNRs) with respect to established baselines. Scheduled and feedback PIX applications were made for a total of 0.75 and 1.25 pt./acre, respectively, with the scheduled treatments being initiated earlier in the fruiting cycle (early and peak bloom). Feedback PIK treatments consisted of a single 0.75 pt./acre application near peak bloom (approx. 2200 heat units after planting (HUAP), 86/55°F threshold). Scheduled applications of fertilizer N totaled 225 lbs. N/acre from three applications and feedback N treatments received a total of 135 lbs. N/acre from three applications. Treatments consisted of all combinations of scheduled or feedback applications of both N and PIX The highest lint yields were from a treatment receiving feedback N and PIX, but all treatment yields were not significantly different (P ≥ 0.05) from one another. From a practical (economic) standpoint, however, these treatments were different in terms of the differences of fertilizer N and the timing of the PIX applications required to produce comparable yields. Results from 1996 are consistent with 1993, 1994, and 1995 results from the same study.

Heat stress has been a subject of considerable concern among Arizona cotton growers due to a recent string of hot, humid summers. Research studies indicate heat stress develops when mean crop temperature exceeds 82.4F (28C). Serious heat stress develops when mean crop temperatures exceed 86E Several meteorological factors impact crop temperatures in Arizona; however, accurate estimates of crop temperature can be made using a model requiring air and dew point temperature. This model was used to evaluate heat stress conditions in Arizona over the past 10 years. Results from this evaluation show the past three years were difficult years for heat stress. Elevation and humidity levels are major factors impacting heat stress in any given year. Lower elevation areas are more prone to heat stress than high elevation areas such as Safford. Possible management options to minimize the impact of heat stress include early optimal planting dates, variety selection, field location and good water management.

The effects of late-season Pix™ on the growth characteristics and yield of Upland cotton was examined in this study. Three treatments were imposed late season (3447 HUAP), 1, a check plot, receiving no Pix™; 2 receiving 0.75 pt/acre, and 3; receiving 1 pt/acre. The imposed treatments did not have a statistically significant effect on plant growth characteristics or earliness, nor were there any significant overall yield differences detected among treatments.

Three field experiments were conducted in Arizona in 1996 at three locations (Maricopa, Marana, and Safford). The Maricopa and Safford experiments have been conducted for seven consecutive seasons, the Marana site was initiated in 1994. 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. 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.

Field studies were carried out for the purpose of evaluating fertilizer nitrogen (N) recovery of upland cotton by use of the difference technique. The treatments under study included : i) check (no fertilizer N applied), ii) standard approach (preplant and sidedress), iii) feedback approach (based upon soil and plant factors), and iv) 2X feedback approach. The studies were carried out at two locations Maricopa (MAC) and Marana (MAR). MAC is a low elevation location with a coarser textured soil compared to the MAR location. 'DPL-20' was the variety used in both locations, except for the early years at MAC where 'DPL-90' was used. The sources of fertilizer N were urea and ammonium sulphate, which were sidedress and split applied. In general, for the MAC location the final N fertilizer rates (NFR) applied were higher than for MAR due to higher yield potentials. The total N uptake increased as the NFR increased. The N use efficiency (NUE) values were reduced as NFR increased. The N fertilizer uptake (NFU) showed a decreasing pattern in the first years, and then an increasing trend; which was coupled with rather high amounts of N taken up in the check plot (soil N mineralized). When the N uptake in the check plot was high, NFU values were low, and vice versa. At MAC the N uptake in the check plot, apparently due to mineralized soil N revealed a slight increasing trend during the first years and then, after the fourth year, a rapid reduction of the mineralized soil N (check plot). A similar pattern was observed for MAR, although the total amount of N taken up was smaller compared to the MAC location.

In 1996 a single field experiment was conducted at Paloma Ranch, west of Gila Bend in Maricopa County Arizona. Nucoton 33B was dry planted and watered -up on 15 April. Treatments consisted of various rates and times of application of nitrogen (N) and calcium (Ca) from two sources (N-Carm and CAN-17), as well as a standard N source, UAN-32, along with a Calcium (Ca) check which received no Ca. Treatments], 2, and 3 each received a total of 280 lbs. N/acre. Treatment 4 received a total of 210 lbs. N/acre while treatment 5 received a total of 301 lbs. N/acre. Treatment 1 was a check plot and received only standard applications of UAN-32. Treatments 2 and 4 each received a total of 72 lbs. of Ca/acre. Treatment 5 received a total of 79 lbs. Ca/acre while treatment 4 received a total of 300 lbs. Ca/acre. No significant differences were found among the various treatments in terms of plant growth, soil water content, ECₑ values, and sodium absorption ratios. Lint yields were significantly different (P < 0.07).