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Publication #SS-AGR-34

2005 Cotton Variety Trials in Florida: Mid- and Late-Maturing Cultivars1

D. L. Wright, C. A. Smith, and E. B. Baxley2

Cotton variety trials were planted in conventional tilled soil with a cone planter at the seeding rate of 80 seeds/ 25 linear feet of row with 36” row spacing on May 18, 2005.

Mid- and Late-Maturing Cotton Variety Trial

Thirty-one mid- and late-maturing cotton varieties were planted in this trial on May 18, 2005. This followed a bedded application of 10N 28P 87K that was applied on March 21. The following is a summary of how the plots were managed throughout the 2005 growing season:

  • 3-21-05 Bedded 10N 28P 87K

  • 5-18-05 Planted

  • 5-23-05 PRE Application - Prowl 1.5pt, Cotoran 1.5 pt, Glyphomax 2 qt,

  • Staple 8 oz, Orthene 4oz

  • 6-27-05 200#/Acre 3-7-28 50# Kmag 50# MOP (30 units) 70# N in irrigation

  • 6-29-05 0.1oz/Acre Envoke

  • 7-15-05 70# N/Acre applied through irrigation.

  • 7-20-05 4oz Bidrin 1# Solubor 10oz Pix

  • 7-27-05 1qt Caparol 1qt MSMA

  • 8-13-05 16oz Pix 4oz Bidrin 4oz Ammo 2# 20-20-20

  • 10-25-05 Harvest

Cotton plots were harvested on October 25, 2005. These were spindle picked by a Case International 1822 two row cotton spindle harvester.

Management Considerations for Maximum Yields

  1. Choosing the right variety: In 2005 there were 69 varieties; this is a lot of varieties to choose from. Special considerations should be made in regards to desired traits and your own farm. When making variety selections consider results from various locations from multiple years of University trials, and look for consistent performers.

  2. Conservation Tillage: Strip-Till planting decreases erosion, increases soil organic matter, soil moisture, and improves soil texture which in turn may lead to increased yields. Cover crops should be killed 3 to 4 weeks prior to planting to reduce insect problems and prevent soil moisture depletion.

  3. Planting dates: Optimum planting ranges from April 20 to May 20. Consider planting early and mid-full season varieties at the same time in order to stagger harvest dates.

  4. Target Plant Population: Desired plant population is 2-3 plants per foot. In order to achieve this plant 3-4 seed per foot.

  5. N fertilization: Both insufficient and excess nitrogen can lead to fruit shed or boll rot. Nitrogen should be applied near the row, early in the season at first squaring. Two applications may be made on sandy soils (at squaring and 3 weeks later). The recommended rate of nitrogen ranges from 50 to 90 lbs N/A on most soils.

  6. Weed control: Early season weed control is critical no matter what technology that you decide to use, and has proven to increase yields. Newer varieties that allow over the top herbicide applications all season long proved themselves as top yielders but still need to be treated for early season weeds, if applications are delayed until thresholds are maximized, the technology proves to be no advantage.

  7. Insect Control: Effective scouting should be implemented with timely and proper insect management of bollworms, armyworms, and stinkbugs is critical.

  8. Timely defoliation and harvest: If the defoliation is delayed until 60-65% of the total crop to be harvested is open, 90% of the crop can likely be harvested within two weeks after the application.

Results

shows the harvest and the HVI data for the 2005 Mid-Late season cotton varieties.

Tables

Table 1. 

Harvest and the HVI data for the 2005 Mid-Late season cotton varieties.

2005 Mid-Full OVT

Seed Cotton

Lb/Acre

 % Lint

Lint/Acre

Lbs/Acre

 Color Grade Leaf Grade Ext. Matter Mike Length Staple Strength Uniformity HVI Trash

Rating Unit
Brand Name
Delta & Pine DP 555 BG/RR 3223 a 0.41 a 1312 a 51 a 7 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 28 a 83 a 1 a
Stoneville STX 6622 RF 3228 a 0.4 a 1278 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 83 a 3 a
Delta & Pine DP 543 BGII/RR 3173 ab 0.4 a 1278 ab 54 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 29 a 82 a 3 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 04T126 DF 3071 ab 0.41 a 1257 ab 46 a 7 a 11 a 5 a 1 a 38 a 31 a 83 a 2 a
Stoneville ST 6848 R 3062 ab 0.39 a 1201 ab 49 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 83 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DP 445 BG/RR 3095 ab 0.38 a 1193 ab 49 a 8 a 11 a 5 a 1 a 38 a 32 a 83 a 2 a
Stoneville ST 5599 BR 2982 ab 0.4 a 1184 ab 46 a 8 a 11 a 5 a 1 a 38 a 32 a 84 a 2 a
Stoneville ST 6636 BR 3080 ab 0.38 a 1169 ab 54 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 38 a 32 a 83 a 3 a
FiberMax FM 989 B2R 3181 ab 0.37 a 1163 ab 51 a 8 a 16 a 4 a 1 a 38 a 30 a 83 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DP 455 BG/RR 2799 ab 0.4 a 1130 ab 49 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 83 a 1 a
Delta & Pine DP 488 BG/RR 2778 ab 0.4 a 1121 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 30 a 84 a 2 a
FiberMax FMX 1003 B2LL 2903 ab 0.37 a 1082 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 32 a 84 a 3 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 04X419 DF 2651 ab 0.4 a 1053 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 39 a 31 a 82 a 2 a
FiberMax FMX 9166 B2LL 2770 ab 0.38 a 1049 ab 54 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 34 a 83 a 3 a
Stoneville STX 0509 B2F 2661 ab 0.39 a 1041 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 32 a 83 a 2 a
Stoneville ST 5303 R 2597 ab 0.39 a 1031 ab 49 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 30 a 83 a 2 a
Stoneville STX 6611 B2RF 2619 ab 0.39 a 1018 ab 54 a 8 a 11 a 5 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 82 a 3 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 03X179 R 2539 ab 0.39 a 994 ab 54 a 8 a 24 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 30 a 82 a 3 a
Stoneville STX 0510 B2F 2394 ab 0.4 a 963 ab 51 a 8 a 24 a 4 a 1 a 38 a 32 a 83 a 2 a
Stoneville STX 0414 B2RF 2439 ab 0.39 a 957 ab 49 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 38 a 32 a 84 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 04X436 DF 2451 ab 0.39 a 956 ab 51 a 8 a 28 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 32 a 83 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 04X495 F 2329 ab 0.41 a 943 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 38 a 33 a 83 a 2 a
FiberMax FM 991 B2R 2489 ab 0.38 a 941 ab 46 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 38 a 31 a 84 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DP 449 BG/RR 2401 ab 0.39 a 939 ab 49 a 8 a 9 a 5 a 1 a 37 a 33 a 84 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 04Y170 BR 2323 ab 0.4 a 926 ab 51 a 8 a 16 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 83 a 2 a
Stoneville STX 5885 B2RF 2239 ab 0.38 a 863 ab 54 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 32 a 83 a 3 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 05X648 DR 2021 ab 0.42 a 851 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 5 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 82 a 3 a
Delta & Pine DP 494 RR 2077 ab 0.41 a 844 ab 51 a 7 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 83 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DP 454 BG/RR 2061 ab 0.39 a 808 ab 51 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 37 a 31 a 82 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 04X462 F 1954 ab 0.39 a 753 ab 49 a 8 a 11 a 4 a 1 a 38 a 32 a 83 a 2 a
Delta & Pine DPLX 04T159 F 1868 b 0.38 a 719 b 48 a 7 a 11 a 5 a 1 a 37 a 30 a 82 a 1 a
LSD (P=.05) 721.4 0.032 306.7 5.6 0.9 13.3 0.5 0 1.5 3.1 1.8 1.2

Footnotes

1.

This document is SS-AGR-34, one of a series of the Agronomy Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date April 2006. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

D. L. Wright, professor, Agronomy Department, North Florida Research and Education Center--Quincy, FL; C. A. Smith, former regional IPM agent, Jackson County, FL; ; E. B. Baxley, OPS Weed Scientist, North Florida Research and Education Center--Quincy, FL; Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

The use of trade names in this publication is solely for the purpose of providing specific information. UF/IFAS does not guarantee or warranty the products named, and references to them in this publication does not signify our approval to the exclusion of other products of suitable composition.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.