Effects of Reduced Tillage and Crop Residues on Cotton Weed Control, Growth, and Yield

Abstract

Conservation or reduced tillage practices in cotton-based crop rotation systems were studied in field experiments initiated at Marana, Coolidge and Goodyear by planting barley cover and grain crops in the fall of 2001. In the 2002 cotton season, conservation tillage practices reduced the number of cultural operations required to grow a cotton crop. Adequate cotton weed control was achieved in conservation tillage systems using only postemergence herbicides; weedsensing, intermittent spray technology reduced the amount of herbicide spray volume used for weed control. Cotton yields in conservation tillage systems were similar to the yields in conventional tillage systems at two sites and greater at one site.