Making the Replant Decision: Predicting Yield and Fiber Quality in the Mid-South from Planting Date and Population

Abstract

Cotton producers in the U.S. Mid-South often plant in cool, wet conditions to lengthen the growing season and maximize yield potential. Although multiple studies have been conducted to determine optimum planting windows and seeding rates, few studies have evaluated the interaction of these parameters. To make a replant decision, the yield potential of the current stand versus the yield potential of the replant must be estimated. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of plant population and planting date on lint yield and fiber quality. Field experiments were conducted in 10 site-years from 2016 to 2018 in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Missouri. Treatments included five seeding rates (10.5, 6.75, 3, 1.5, and 0.75 seeds m-1) and multiple planting dates (typically early May, mid-May, and early June). Although yields were lowest at later planting dates and low populations, results suggested a uniform population of 74,000 plants ha-1 will not warrant a replant at any date, and uniform populations as low as 49,000 plants ha-1 planted after 5 May also will not warrant replanting. Fiber quality was impacted by environment and planting date, with micronaire decreasing and length, strength, and uniformity increasing as planting date was delayed. These data will assist with replant decisions by providing estimates of the current stand relative to the yield potential of a successful (or unsuccessful) replant. Furthermore, results suggest producers could reduce seeding rates at later planting dates without reducing yield potential.

Profit-Maximizing Planting Date and Seeding Rate for Upland Cotton in the Upper Mid-South

“…Data for our study were generated from field trials in five locations in Tennessee, Missouri, and Mississippi from 2016 to 2018. Field-trial planting dates, soil types, and other details on the experimental design and execution are reported in Butler et al (2020). A 2016 pilot study evaluating plant population was conducted at Ames Plantation in Grand Junction, TN.…”

“…1 shows a plot of yields by planting date. More information about these data is provided in Butler et al (2020).…”

“…Planting too early can reduce germination, which can limit stand uniformity and cause yield loss, but waiting too late also can reduce yield potential by limiting growing periods (Anapalli et al, 2016;O'Berry et al, 2008;Pettigrew et al, 2009;Wrather et al, 2008). Studies have shown that producers have a yield-maximizing planting window in the upper Mid-South (Adkins et al, 2020;Anapalli et al, 2016;Butler et al, 2020;O'Berry et al, 2008;Pettigrew et al, 2009;Wrather et al, 2008). Unfortunately, excessive soil moisture and rainfall can delay planting during the yield-maximizing planting window.…”

“…Along with yield potential, changes in planting date also could have implications for other input costs and economic returns. Seed cost, for example, is a major input cost for cotton production, and optimal seeding rates can vary by planting date (Adams et al, 2019;Butler et al, 2020;Siebert et al, 2006;Wrather et al, 2008). Wrather et al (2008) determined the effects of plant population and planting date on cotton yields in the Mississippi Delta region from 2001 to 2005.…”

“…More recently Butler et al (2020) determined the impact of plant population and planting date on cotton lint yield and fiber quality in the upper Mid-South. They found higher plant populations seeded earliest possessed the greatest yield potential but increases beyond 98,000 plants ha -1 failed to increase yields.…”