Premium
Fertilizer Nitrogen Requirements for Cotton Production as Affected by Tillage and Traffic
Author(s) -
Torbert H. A.,
Reeves D. W.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1994.03615995005800050020x
Subject(s) - tillage , lint , agronomy , fertilizer , conventional tillage , mathematics , strip till , soil compaction , yield (engineering) , environmental science , no till farming , soil water , soil fertility , biology , soil science , materials science , metallurgy
Soil compaction and its associated problems have led to interest in investigating the interactive effects of traffic and tillage systems on fertilizer N requirement for cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.). In 1987, a study was initiated on a thermic Typic Hapludult soil complex with a cropping system of wheat ( Triticum aestivum L.)‐cotton double cropped. The experimental design was a split‐split plot with four replications. Main plots were two traffic treatments (conventional and no‐traffic), subplots were four tillage systems for cotton (surface tillage without subsoiling [surface‐only], surface tillage and annual in‐row subsoiling [subsoiling], surface tillage with one‐time‐only complete disruption of the tillage pan [complete], or no surface tillage and in‐row subsoiling [strip‐till]), and sub‐subplots were four N rates (0, 45, 90, and 135 kg N ha −1 ). In addition, application of 15 N‐labeled NH 4 NO 3 was made to microplots inside each tillage‐traffic‐90 kg N ha −1 plot. In 1990 and 1991, increasing N application increased cotton biomass and decreased lint percentage. In the dry year of 1990, no‐traffic decreased seed cotton yield from 1500 to 1360 kg ha −1 , while tillage had no significant effects on cotton yield components. Above‐normal rainfall in 1991 resulted in the strip‐till with no‐traffic treatment having the highest seed cotton yield (2749 kg ha −1 ) and the greatest fertilizer N uptake efficiency (35%). Results indicate that the detrimental effects of traffic on N uptake efficiency may be reduced with conservation tillage systems and that higher fertilizer N application rates may not be needed for conservation tillage practices such as strip‐till in Coastal Plain soils.