-
Ritchie, Glen Lorin
Interaction of mepiquat chloride and water application on cotton height, yield, and quality
Summary
Water and plant growth regulator (PGR) application both cost money and can impact cotton growth. We looked at varying rates of both water and mepiquat chloride application based on remote sensing data to determine rates that would be efficient and result in high yield and quality.
Situation
Cotton yield and quality are important in determining cotton production value. Water and plant growth regulators (for example, mepiquat chloride) can be applied to change cotton growth habits, but both cost money. In addition, water conservation has been a priority in Georgia due to the current drought. Additional water encourages rank growth, while heavy mepiquat chloride application inhibits growth. A combination of controlled irrigation and less mepiquat chloride application can potentially decrease both water and chemical application, save money, and decrease the environmental impact of plant growth regulator sprays.
Response
A study was instituted at the Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla, Georgia, to examine the interaction of irrigation and mepiquat chloride application. Four rates of irrigation and four rates of mepiquat chloride application were tested.
Impact
Measures of yield and quality are ongoing. However, the following in-season growth habits were observed: Concurrently decreasing irrigation and mepiquat chloride application resulted in similar plant heights as the highest rates of irrigation and mepiquat chloride application. The exception was in the non-irrigated control, which consistently had taller plants for all mepiquat chloride rates, particularly the untreated control. This can be explained by mid- to late-season rainfall (after the application of mepiquat chloride was completed) and the adaptive growth of the water-stressed cotton to the rainfall. The money saved by the lower rates of irrigation and mepiquat chloride application are currently being analyzed and will be compared to the final yield, quality, and value of the crop.
State Issue
Agricultural Profitability and Sustainability
Details
- Year: 2007
- Geographic Scope: County
- County: Mitchell
-
Program Areas:
- Agriculture & Natural Resources
Author
Collaborator(s)
CAES Collaborator(s)
- Brown, Steven M.
- Shurley, W. Don
- Smith, Amanda R
Research Impact