Irrigation Efficiencies, Nitrogen and Phosphorous Applications, and Lint Yields of Upland Cotton Grown at the Maricopa Agricultural Center, 1992

Abstract

The computer program AZSCHED, with weather data obtained from AZMET, was used to schedule irrigations for a yield trial of Upland Cotton (DPL 90) at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. Cotton lint yields were compared between plots from eight treatments involving the combination of two irrigation efficiencies (70% and 90%), two nitrogen fertilizer placements (sidedressed and broadcast), and two phosphate fertilizer applications (0#/a and 50#/a). A potassium bromide (KBr) tracer was applied to select areas in each plot prior to the first irrigation. The total amount of fertilizer as nitrogen applied in split applications to both the sidedressed and broadcast plots was 120 #/a. The average amount of water applied to the plots were 33.5" for 70 % efficiency and 26.9" for 90% efficiency. Soil samples from each KBr applied plot were taken to a depth of 10' for analysis of bromide and nitrate to determine the depth of water movement through the soil profile. The plots were harvested on October 7, 1992. This year there was no significant difference in lint yield between any of the treatments: irrigation efficiencies, nitrogen placement, or phosphorous application.