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Variable Row Spacing of Irrigated Cotton as a Means for Reducing Production Costs and Conserving Water
Author(s) -
Longenecker D. E.,
Thaxton E. L.,
Lyerly P. J.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
agronomy journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.752
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1435-0645
pISSN - 0002-1962
DOI - 10.2134/agronj1969.00021962006100010034x
Subject(s) - row , irrigation , row crop , production (economics) , mathematics , agronomy , variable (mathematics) , crop , maturity (psychological) , water use efficiency , agricultural engineering , environmental science , computer science , geography , economics , biology , agriculture , engineering , psychology , mathematical analysis , developmental psychology , macroeconomics , database , archaeology
Results of 3 years' field studies of a new irrigated cotton row spacing pattern are reported. This new pattern, called Variable Row Spacing (V.R.S.), consisted of alternate wide (1.37 m) and narrow (0.66 m) rows with furrows only between the 0.66‐m rows. Purpose of the new pattern was to conserve water and reduce production costs. Tests on both sloping and level irrigation systems are reported. The V.R.S. system was shown to be effective in maintaining yields while simultaneously presenting opportunity for reducing production costs through application of less water per irrigation, reductions in evaporation, more efficient utilization of applied water, more effective weed control, and earlier maturity of the crop. A partial skip‐row effect was believed to be obtained without skipping any rows. Chief obstacle to adoption of the new system by growers has been inability of commercial spindle pickers to harvest the variable row spacing pattern.