Influence of fertilizer treatments on maturity and yield of cotton

The results of certain fertilizer treatments shown in a previous paper in their effects upon germination and stand of cotton are herein shown in their effects upon maturity and yield. Earlier maturity occurred on the check plats than on those receiving an application of 500 pounds of a 10-0-4 per acre, which in turn were earlier in developing than the plats receiving a like quantity of 10-4-4 fertilizer. Increasing the nitrogen ratio from 4 to 6, 8 and 10% showed a trend towards later maturity with the higher ratios. Applications of nitrogen before planting produced earlier maturity than those at planting for the methods of distribution employed. Applications of phosphate and potash before planting produced slightly earlier maturity than those at planting. The maturity was delayed by applications in contact with the seed or immediately beneath the seed and was earlier on the average as the treatments were placed deeper, wider, above, or at the side of the seed. The yields from a complete fertilizer were significantly greater than from check plats receiving no fertilizer. The yields from increasing quantities of nitrogen increased from applications of 20 pounds and 30 pounds of nitrogen, then slightly decreased at 40 pounds, and were significantly less at 50 pounds per acre. Applications of the several nitrogen salts before planting produced larger yields than those at planting. Applications of the phosphate-potash combination before planting were apparently somewhat better in yield than those at planting. In the comparison of locations of fertilizer materials the yields from applications in contact with the seed were the lowest but increased on the average in the 1 inch below, 2 inches below, below wide, above, and side-of-seed positions, to the highest yields in the last location. The yield increase resulting from proper fertilizer locations was more marked in the 12-4-4 and 12-0-4 materials than in the acid phosphate treatments. The side-of-seed position appears to be an ideal location which may be approximated with slight modifications of many types of equipment now in use, thereby obtaining more effective results from the use of any fertilizer material.