Response of Deltapine® Brand Cotton Products to Nitrogen Application Rate
January 13, 2025
TRIAL OBJECTIVE
- Nitrogen (N) fertility is a very important factor to balance in cotton production systems and questions about N fertilizer management arise as new cotton varieties are introduced into the marketplace.
- Inadequate N can lower yield potential, while excessive N can lead to excessive vegetative growth, also lowering yield potential and possibly requiring additional plant growth regulator (PGR) management.
- Heavy clay soils often need higher N rates due to the reduced availability of applied fertilizers.
- This study attempts to provide growers with information for the fertility decision making process.
RESEARCH SITE DETAILS
- Four N application rates were tested in this demonstration. All treatments were applied as 30-0-0-2.5 and all rates are actual lb N applied per acre.
- 80 lb N/acre
- 120 lb N/acre
- 160 lb N/acre
- 200 lb N/acre
- All varieties were planted as strip plots with no replications at 44,000 seeds per acre and establishment was approximately 80% across the trial.
- Plots were 12 rows wide and 1,000 feet long, for approximately 1 acre per plot.
- PGR was applied as needed based on scouting and measured plant growth rates.
- Three applications were required at typical timings and rates.
- This production system did not develop huge excess vegetative growth potential due to growing conditions in the 2024 season. Growth potential would be characterized as moderate.
- All field work, tillage, and herbicides were applied per local standards.
- Yield data were collected using commercial harvest equipment and representative site turnout was used when calculating yields.
UNDERSTANDING THE RESULTS
- When averaged across all varieties test, the highest yield in this trial occurred at N rates of 120 lb N/acre.
- The 120 lb N/acre application also produced the highest yield in three of the tested cotton varieties: DP 2211 B3TXF (1,276 lb lint/acre), DP 2333 B3FX (1,286 lb lint/acre), and DP 2328 B3TXF (1,207 lb lint/acre). These were the two highest yields observed in the trial and the sixth highest yield, respectively.
- Some additional vegetative growth was observed in higher N rates, but those treatments did not require additional PGR applications in this case.
- This demonstrates the excellent potential of recently introduced Deltapine® cotton genetics coupled with the latest trait technology in ThryvOn® cotton.
KEY LEARNINGS
- Typical rates of N used in cotton production range from 80 lb N/acre to 150 lb N/acre. Based on the data from this study, this range appears to be adequate for the yield levels measured during 2024.
- Many factors can contribute to the need to change N rates including:
- Cotton on cotton production systems – Typically requires an increase in N rates.
- Cotton on corn production systems – Typically a decrease in N rates.
- Cotton planted on heavier soils – Typically an increase in N rates.
- Cotton on sandier/stronger soils – Typically a decrease in N rates.
- Cotton on thinner/weaker soils – Typically an increase in N rates.
- Several of the above factors can be interactive and influence the need for changes in N rates.
- Growers should carefully consider all the above factors when selecting N rates for any production system to help avoid excess vegetative growth as a side effect of higher N rates.
- Alterations in PGR use may be required in some systems. Awareness, scouting, and prompt action are essential to developing an optimized production system.
- Please contact your local Bayer/Deltapine® representative for more information.
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