Growth and yield comparisons of cotton planted in conventional and ultra-narrow row spacings

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growers are faced with rising production cos ts and static or declining crop prices. One strategy with potential for red ucing production costs entails growing cotton in ultranarrow rows with elev ated plant populations. A 2-yr field study was conducted in the Brazos Bott oms near College Station, TX to determine the differences in vegetative gro wth and yield parameters of cotton grown in ultra-narrow and conventionally spaced rows. Four row spacings of 19, 38.1, 76.2, and 101.6 cm were plante d with populations of 39.4 to 45.8, 18.2 to 20.7, 13.1 to 13.6, and 7.9 to 9.9 plants m(-2), respectively. At crop maturity, plant height and node cou nts were reduced in the cotton grown in the 19-cm row spacing. Canopy closu re occurred more rapidly in the 19- and 38.1-cm row spacings than in the wi der row spacings. In 1997, a relatively wet growing season, yields were not affected by the row-spacing treatments. In 1998, a dry growing season, yie lds in the 19- and 38.1-cm row spacings were greater than those in the wide r row spacings. The 19-cm row spacing had 84.6% of the harvestable bells at the first fruiting position and 76.1% of the bells on Nodes 6 through 10, both percentages being significantly greater than those observed in the wid er row spacings. Fiber length tended to be reduced in the 19-cm row spacing relative to the other row spacings. Ultra-narrow row cotton appears to be a viable option for producers to attempt to reduce costs while maintaining yields.