Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Weed management in single- and twin-row planting patterns

Dr. Barry Brecke, University of Florida, West Florida Research and Education Center, 4253 Experiment Drive, Jay, FL 32565 and Dr. Daniel Stephenson IV, University of Arkansas, Northeast Arkansas Research and Extension Cener, 1224 West County Road 780, Keiser, AR 72351.

Experiments were conducted in 2004 through 2006 to determine the feasibility of twin-row cotton production. Cotton (glyphosate tolerant) was planted in a twin-row (19 cm apart) and single-row planting patterns (76 cm apart) with a final plant populations of 1, 2, or 4 plants/foot. Weed management regimes included one, two or three herbicide applications. The crop canopy of twin-row cotton closed 1 to 2 wk earlier that the single-row cotton and light measurements showed that 10 to 20% less light reached the soil surface in the twin-row cotton. Cotton at 4 plants/foot reduced light penetration 10 to 25% compared to 1 plant/foot. At least two herbicide applications were needed for greater than 90% weed control regardless of planting pattern and plant population. Weed control with the lowest level of herbicide input was up to 10% better in the twin-row cotton and at the higher cotton densities than in the single rows and at the lowest density of 1 plant/ft. Yield of cotton in twin-rows averaged over cotton density was 10% better than in single rows.