Response of irrigated Acala and Pima cotton to nitrogen fertilization: Growth, dry matter partitioning, and yield

• Published in: Agronomy journal 2003, Vol.95 (1), p.133-146
• Main Authors: FRITSCHI, Felix B, ROBERTS, Bruce A, TRAVIS, Robert L, RAINS, D. William, HUTMACHER, Robert B
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Biological and medical sciences; Dry matter; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agronomy. Plant production; Nitrogen fertilization; Nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium fertilizations; Soil-plant relationships. Soil fertility. Fertilization. Amendments
• ISSN: 0002-1962; 1435-0645
• DOI: 10.2134/agronj2003.1330a

Acala ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) and Pima ( G. barbadense L.) cotton growth, lint yield, and fiber quality responses to N in the San Joaquin Valley, CA were evaluated. Numerous reasons, including adaptation of N fertilization guidelines to modern production practices, recent increases in energy costs, and growing concerns about NO − 3 contamination of ground water, led to the initiation of this study. Acala was grown for 3 yr on a Panoche clay loam [fine‐loamy, mixed (calcareous), thermic Typic Torriorthents] and a Wasco sandy loam (coarse‐loamy, mixed, nonacid, thermic Typic Torriorthents). Pima was grown for 2 yr on the Panoche clay loam. Four N treatments were established in a randomized complete block design: 56, 112, 168, and 224 kg N ha −1 . Three‐year average aboveground dry matter production of Acala was 7800 and 12 600 kg ha −1 on the Panoche clay loam and 8500 and 11 900 kg ha −1 on the Wasco sandy loam for the 56 and 168 kg N ha −1 treatments, respectively. The equivalent 2‐yr averages for Pima were 7600 (56 kg N ha −1 ) and 10 800 kg ha −1 (168 kg N ha −1 ). Linear increases in lint yield with increased N fertility level occurred for Acala on Panoche clay loam in every year. Maximum lint yield averaged over 3 yr was 1842 kg ha −1 in the 224 kg N ha −1 treatment. The response of Acala lint yield to N management on the Wasco sandy loam was smaller than on Panoche clay loam, with a maximum lint yield of 1666 kg ha −1 (224 kg N ha −1 , 3‐yr average). Pima lint yield responded to N management in a quadratic fashion with maximum yields in the 168 kg N ha −1 treatment in both years (1638 kg ha −1 , 2‐yr average). Acala gin turnouts were greater at the Panoche than at the Wasco site. Decreases in gin turnout with increasing N were significant on the Panoche clay loam (Acala and Pima) but not on the Wasco sandy loam (Acala). There was a generally positive relationship between increasing N fertilization and yield; however, efficient N management should include an assessment of available soil residual N, soil type, and yearly climatic conditions.