Upland Variety Testing Evaluation in Southeastern Arizona

Abstract

Two separate variety evaluations were conducted in southeastern Arizona during the 2004 cotton growing season. The two locations were on grower-cooperator fields in the Upper Gila River Valley located in Thatcher, AZ (Graham County) and in the Sulfur Springs Valley in Kansas Settlement, AZ (Cochise County). Twelve varieties were selected for the Graham County evaluation and fifteen in the Cochise County evaluation. These varieties included several transgenic varieties and ranged in maturity from early to full-season varieties. Several Acala varieties were also evaluated in both the Graham and Cochise County tests. Both evaluations were conducted using a randomized complete block design with each variety replicated four times. Plant measurements were collected in season on several dates from the Graham County evaluation. End of season plant measurements were collected from the Cochise County evaluation. Lint yield was estimated at each location by harvesting the entire plot and weighing the harvested seed cotton with a weigh wagon equipped with load cells. Sub samples were collected from each plot for fiber quality and percent lint determinations. Total crop value for each variety was calculated by using the fiber quality premium/discount and using a $0.52 per pound price. The total price is then multiplied by total lint yield to obtain the total value for that particular variety. Results observed in the Graham County evaluation were similar to those in 2003. Lint yield ranged from 1200 to over 1600 lbs. lint/acre. The FiberMax variety FM991BR produced the highest lint yield and also the highest total crop value at over $950/acre. Results from the Cochise County evaluation demonstrated the potential that high fiber quality can have on total crop value. Lint yields ranged from 600 to over 1200 lbs. lint/acre. The highest yielding variety (ST5242BR) did not produce the highest crop value. Because of the higher fiber quality of the Acala varieties, they produced the highest value at approximately $630/acre.