Three-year comparison of conventional and ultra narrow row cotton production systems
2001
Vories, E.D. | Valco, T.D. | Bryant, K.J. | Glover, R.E.
The introduction of transgenic cultivars, with resistance to certain herbicides has greatly increased interest in a cotton production system commonly referred to as ultra narrow row. A three-year study designed to evaluate this system was conducted at the University of Arkansas Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser from 1995 through 1997. The study compared cotton grown in 19-cm rows and harvested with a stripper (ultra narrow row) to cotton produced in 97-cm rows and harvested with a spindle picker (conventional). The plants in the ultra narrow row system were shorter than in the conventional system. Higher seed cotton yields were observed for the ultra narrow row system two of the three years, but lint yield was higher in only one year due to lower gin turnout. Several of the High Volume Instrument (HVI) fiber properties of the commercially ginned lint varied among the three years, but only micronaire was significantly affected by the production system, consistently lower for the ultra narrow row cotton. Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) analysis of the commercially ginned lint indicated more visible foreign matter, higher short fiber content, and higher immature fiber content with the ultra narrow row system. In addition, the lint from the ultra narrow row system contained more trash and dust than from conventionally produced cotton. Fixed costs (equipment) were lower for the ultra narrow row system, but higher seed and seed treatment costs made overall production costs higher. Breakeven prices for both systems were below the Arkansas season average price two of the three years, suggesting a potential for profit.
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