EFFECTS OF EARLY-SEASON FOLIAR FERTILIZATION ON COTTON GROWTH, YIELD,AND NUTRIENT CONCENTRATION

Many producers are using foliar fertilizers on seedling cotton (Gossyp ium hirsutum L.) with the intent of promoting early vigor and increasi ng yields. However, the hypothesis that foliar feeding young cotton in creases seedling vigor and yield has not been rigorously tested. We co nducted 5 studies during 1990 to 1992 to investigate the value of one, two or three foliar applications of 12-48-8 fertilizer to seedling co tton Two studies also included foliar-applied urea Plant height and wh ole-plant phosphorous (P) and nitrogen (N) were determined two weeks a fter each application in two studies. Yield and P and N concentrations were not influenced by foliar fertilizers in any study. Seedling heig ht was not influenced by applications of 12-48-8. A slight early-seaso n height advantage was observed with foliar-applied urea at one locati on. Our results suggest that application of foliar N and P fertilizers to seedling cotton has little agronomic value.