Effects of Plant Density, Mepiquat Chloride, Early-Season Nitrogen and Water Applications on Yield and Crop Maturity of Ultra-Narrow Cotton

Research investigating row spacing in high-yielding, high-input cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems has found higher lint yields but no maturity benefits using high plant density, 25 cm spaced ultra-narrow rows (UNR). Seven experiments comparing 38 UNR and conventionally (100 cm) were conducted over three years to determine if changes density or management could optimize yield a system. Two of these compared 25, 100 under different intra-row (12 36 plants m−2). Three managed separately one had extra early application nitrogen water. Across the seven there differences crop for rows. The only significant response inter- agronomic was an 18% increase handpicked 12 m−2 treatment same two experiments. This stability across spacings indicates that is opportunity reduce seed rates whilst maintaining systems. did not require any difference mepiquat chloride with cotton, nor inputs water, we concluded likely current recommendations nutrition are appropriate managing crops.