COTTON AGRONOMY/PHYSIOLOGY AND VARIETY TESTING

• Sponsoring Institution: National Institute of Food and Agriculture
• Project Status: COMPLETE
• Funding Source: HATCH
• Reporting Frequency: Annual
• Accession No.: 0226952
• Project Start Date: Oct 1, 2011
• Project End Date: Sep 30, 2016
• Program Code: [(N/A)]- (N/A)

Recipient Organization
UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE
2621 MORGAN CIR
KNOXVILLE,TN 37996-4540

Performing Department
Plant Sciences

Non Technical Summary
Cotton remains a major field crop of West Tennessee, producing annual farm revenues exceeding $154 million and contributing over $3 billion in value added to Tennessee=s economy each year employing 6631 Tennesseans (National Cotton Council, 2008). However, crop management remains challenging to producers, as yields and lint quality fluctuate from year to year. Producers face increasing production costs, record changes in commodity prices, and rapid emergence of new technologies. Cotton producers rely on University research results and Extension recommendations to evaluate new technologies and to manage their farm operations. A research program in cotton agronomy and physiology is needed to build upon rapid progress made in recent years in evaluating transgenic variety adaptation, plant growth regulation, new cropping systems, and harvest aids of cotton in Tennessee. A program of varietal adaptation testing is designed to identify varieties that are broadly adapted to West Tennessee in terms of yield potential, earliness of maturity, fiber quality, and yield stability. Plant mapping will help identify constraints to variety performance from a physiological perspective. Identification of cropping systems that build on no-till systems will be evaluated in terms of yield, fiber quality, physiological efficiency and economic potential. This research will contribute knowledge needed to develop more profitable, sustainable and technically sound production systems. Results are intended to help Tennessee cotton producers and the whole cotton industry to adopt technologies, management practices, and cropping systems that will keep them competitive in the 21st century.

Animal Health Component

100%

Research Effort Categories

Basic

(N/A)

Applied

100%

Developmental

(N/A)

Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)	Subject of Investigation (SOI)	Field of Science (FOS)	Percent
205	1710	1010	20%
203	1710	1020	10%
204	1710	1080	20%
212	1710	1120	10%
213	1710	1140	10%
212	1710	1160	10%
203	1711	1020	10%
204	1711	1080	10%

Knowledge Area
212 - Pathogens and Nematodes Affecting Plants; 204 - Plant Product Quality and Utility (Preharvest); 205 - Plant Management Systems; 203 - Plant Biological Efficiency and Abiotic Stresses Affecting Plants; 213 - Weeds Affecting Plants;

Subject Of Investigation
1711 - Long fiber cotton; 1710 - Upland cotton;

Field Of Science
1120 - Nematology; 1160 - Pathology; 1010 - Nutrition and metabolism; 1080 - Genetics; 1140 - Weed science; 1020 - Physiology;

Keywords

cotton

variety testing

cropping systems

defoliation

deficit irrigation

irrigation

fiber quality

maturity

Goals / Objectives
1. Varietal Adaptation The primary objective of this component is to gather knowledge about the adaptation of new commercial cotton varieties to the field production environments of West Tennessee which will lead to informed variety selection and ultimately more profit for the producer. Experimental strains may also be tested to help cotton breeders assess the range of adaptation and suitability of new varieties (including transgenics) and strains for West Tennessee commercial production. Results are intended to provide Tennessee cotton producers and seed companies with knowledge that will allow them to select varieties that are well adapted in terms of yield potential, earliness of maturity, fiber quality, and yield stability. Results of these commercial variety trials will also be used to provide the basis for Extension recommendations. 2. Cotton cropping systems The primary objective of this component is to determine the efficiency, economic potential and agronomic components of whole cropping systems, therefore providing producers with the most efficient and profitable system for cotton production. Information of this nature will allow producers to make more specific crop inputs and avoid unnecessary application and trips through the field. Whole cropping systems will include testing of all aspects of production including varietal selection, fertility, planting date, plant growth regulation, insect control and harvest aid selection and timing. Research will be conducted at both branch stations and off station on cooperators farms. Results are intended to help Tennessee cotton producers and the industry to select the most efficient and profitable cropping systems. The long-term goal is to develop cotton cropping systems for West Tennessee producers that are environmentally sound, logistically feasible and economically profitable. 3. Defoliation The primary objective of this component is to increase the consistency of harvest aid effectiveness. Each year various harvest aids and harvest aid tank mixes will be evaluated in differing environments to determine the best compound or compounds and their respective use rates for the conditions at hand. Research will be conducted at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center and at off-station, cooperator farms. As cotton merchants and mills increase the demand for high quality fiber, information gathered from this research will allow producers to not only gain harvest efficiency but also potentially improve the quality of fiber sent to the mill. 4. Irrigation Evaluate cotton response to irrigation in terms of plant morphology, yield, fiber quality, and harvest efficiency. Projects will be implemented at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center and at various on-farm locations in west Tennessee. Results are intended to provide Tennessee cotton producers and seed companies with knowledge that will allow them to select varieties that are well adapted in terms of yield potential, earliness of maturity, fiber quality, and yield stability for irrigated cotton acres. Results of these irrigation trials will also be used to provide the basis for Extension recommendations.

Project Methods
1. Varietal Adaptation All commercial seed companies that supply cotton seed to producers in West Tennessee and others with early-maturing varieties will be invited to submit entries for state testing each year. Established commercial varieties will be tested in Official Variety Trials (OVT's) at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center, Milan Experiment Station, Ames Plantation, Memphis Agricenter, and 2 on-farm locations. The OVT's will be arranged in a standard randomized complete block (RCB) design. Adaptation will be evaluated in terms of yield potential, earliness of maturity, and fiber quality. Samples of seedcotton will be collected from all entries at each location, and these samples will be ginned at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center. 2. Cotton cropping systems Whole cropping systems research will include testing of all aspects of production including varietal selection, fertility, plant growth regulation, insect control and harvest aid selection and timing at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center, Milan Experiment Station, Ames Plantation and the Memphis Agricenter. Most research will be arranged in a standard RCB design. Each system will be evaluated in terms of yield, earliness of maturity, plant growth characteristics and fiber quality. Plant growth characteristics such as plant height and nodes above white flower, along with plant mapping will provide insight into differences found in lint yield and fiber quality. 3. Defoliation Commercial and experimental harvest aids will be evaluated at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center and on farm with cooperators. Visual evaluations of leaf desiccation, leaf drop, boll opening and re-growth control will be made at scheduled intervals after application. 4. Irrigation Small plot research will first identify varieties with contrasting responses to irrigation evaluating top yielding and poplar varieties under irrigated and dry-land conditions at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center. After contrasting varieties are identified research will focus on water use efficiency from an economic and agronomic standpoint. As new genetic technologies for water use are commercialized they will be included for evaluation. Best irrigation practices will be evaluated in terms of yield potential, earliness of maturity, and fiber quality.

Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/16

Outputs
Target Audience:County extension agents, producers, consultants, scouts, retailers, and all others directly invovled in the small grain and/or cotton industry both within and beyond the Mid-South. Changes/Problems:No major changes/problems in approach to completing the planned work have occurred. Current approach is valid and effective for reaching the defined target audience. Work will continue to focus on relevant issues plaguing production while looking forward to potential issues to come. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Data gathered from this research was presented in 30+ meetings including 4cotton field days, numerous county meetings and in the Cotton Focus annual meeting. Total contacts at these meetings exceeded 1800 growers and consultants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?21blog postings at UTCrops news blog (news.utcrops.com); 63popular press contributions and news videos; 6internal publications on a variety of crop production issues, and 30+ meetings including local, state, regional and national events summarizing outcomes of conducted work. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?OBJECTIVES:To provide Tennessee growers with up-to-date information to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability in a sustainable manner. To evaluate new varieties, production systems and crop improvement products that could result in increased yields and profits for Tennessee producers. Plan to accomplish Goals: Extension activities will consist of establishing ten Cotton Variety Trials in ten counties. Current cotton agronomic information and recommendations were discussed on the newsletter site by Dr. Scott Stewart, Dr. Larry Steckel and myself at:http://news.utcrops.com/. A variety and cotton agronomy field tour will be held at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in September to present research findings. In addition to the field tour and written updates, defoliation demonstrations will be completed to provide producers with recommendations for defoliation programs. Up-to-date information and new publications will be continually added towww.UTcrops.com.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In 2016, fifteencounty variety trials were compared for performance. Additionally, four of these locations were also joined by large plot replicated evaluations of the most commonly planted varieties in Tennessee to provide additional statistical power to separate varietal performance. Official Variety Trials continue the search for yield stability in cotton cultivars. The top yielding performer was PHY 312WRF, but other performers in the top tier in 2016were not in this category during the 2015season. Data analysis is currently on-going and location-specific results will be released within the week. Results from 2016can be found at the following link: http://news.utcrops.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/2017_TN_COT_VAR_GUIDE_W285_.pdf The Official Cotton Variety Trial results and the large plot, on-farm County Standard Trial results are some of the most impactful research and Extension efforts UT conducts. It is the only truly unbiased variety testing service for TN producers and therefore is in high demand.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Raper, T.B. 2016 Tennessee Cotton Quick Facts. University of Tennessee Extension. W319.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Raper, T.B. 2016 Tennessee Wheat Quick Facts. University of Tennessee Extension. W321.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Dodds, D.M., D.B. Reynolds, L.T. Barber, T.B. Raper. 2016 Mid-South Cotton Defoliation Guide. University of Tennessee Extension. pp. 1-10.
• Type: Journal Articles Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Raper, T.B., D.M. Oosterhuis, E.M. Barnes. 2016. In-season drought stress quantification: Previous approaches and future directions. Journal of Cotton Science. 20: 179-194.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Raper, T.B., A.T. McClure, F. Yin, B. Brown, H. Savoy. 2016. Sulfur and Tennessee Row Crops. University of Tennessee Extension. WXXX
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Raper, T.B. and H.Y. Kelly. 2016. Target Spot and its potential impact on Tennessee Cotton. University of Tennessee Extension. W370.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Raper, T.B., R.H. Blair, F. Allen, M. Ross, R.C. Dunagan, D. McCurley, J.R. Buntin, P.W. Shelby, and J. Mallard. 2016. 2015 Cotton Variety Trial Results. University of Tennessee Extension. PB1742.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2016 Citation: Raper, T.B., R.H. Blair, F. Allen, M. Ross, R.C. Dunagan, D. McCurley, J.R. Buntin, P.W. Shelby, and J. Mallard. 2015. 2016 Cotton Variety Guide. W285.

Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15

Outputs
Target Audience:All vested participants in TN cotton production. This includes (but is not limited to): TN cotton producers, county extension agents, crop consultants, crop scouts, ginners and consumers of TN cotton products. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Data gathered from this research was presented in 30+ meetings including 3 cotton field days, numerous county meetings and in the Cotton Focus annual meeting. Total contacts at these meetings exceeded 1400 growers and consultants. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?20 blog postings at UTCrops news blog (news.utcrops.com); 24 popular press contributions and news videos; 2015 TN Cotton Quick Facts (W319); Guide to earliness management in short season cotton production (PB1830); 2015 Mid-south defoliation guide (Mississippi State Extension) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?OBJECTIVES: To provide Tennessee growers with up-to-date information to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability in a sustainable manner. To evaluate new varieties, production systems and crop improvement products that could result in increased yields and profits for Tennessee producers. Plan to accomplish Goals: Extension activities will consist of establishing ten Cotton Variety Trials in ten counties. Current cotton agronomic information and recommendations were discussed on the newsletter site by Dr. Scott Stewart, Dr. Larry Steckel and myself at: http://news.utcrops.com/. A variety and cotton agronomy field tour will be held at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in September to present research findings. In addition to the field tour and written updates, defoliation demonstrations will be completed to provide producers with recommendations for defoliation programs. Up-to-date information and new publications will be continually added to www.UTcrops.com .

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In 2015, fourteen county variety trials of fourteen Roundup Ready Flex varieties were compared for performance. In contrast to 2014, mid-maturing varieties outperformed earlier maturing varieties due to an exceptionally warm summer and long fall. Official Variety Trials continue the search for yield stability in cotton cultivars. The top yielding performer was PHY 333 WRF, but other performers in the top tier in 2015 were not in this category during the 2014 season. Data analysis is currently on-going and location-specific results will be released within the week. Results from 2014 can be found at the following link: http://news.utcrops.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2015_TN_COT_VAR_GUIDE_W285.pdf The Official Cotton Variety Trial results and the large plot, on-farm County Standard Trial results are some of the most impactful research and Extension efforts UT conducts. It is the only truly unbiased variety testing service for TN producers and therefore is in high demand.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Raper, T.B. and C.O. Gwathmey. 2015. Guide to earliness management in short-season cotton production. PB1830.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Raper, T.B., S.D. Stewart, and B. Barker. 2015. Growing cotton in the garden: Current legislation. W330.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Raper, T.B. 2015. 2015 Tennessee Cotton Quick Facts. University of Tennessee Extension. W319.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2015 Citation: Dodds, D.M., D.B. Reynolds, L.T. Barber, T.B. Raper. 2015. 2015 Mid-South Cotton Defoliation Guide. MS State Ext Service. pp. 1-10.

Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14

Outputs
Target Audience: All vested participants in TN cotton production. This includes (but is not limited to): TN cotton producers, county extension agents, crop consultants, crop scouts, ginners and consumers of TN cotton products. Changes/Problems: Nothing Reported What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Data gathered from this research was presented in 1 Cotton field day, 14 county meetings and in the Cotton Focus annual meeting. Total contacts at these meetings exceeded 1400 growers and consultants How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 11 blog postings at UTCrops news blog (news.utcrops.com); 10 popular press contributions; 6 news videos; 2014 TN Cotton Quick Facts (W319); 2014 Cotton Variety guide (W285); 2014 Mid-south defoliation guide (Mississippi State Extension) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? OBJECTIVES: To provide Tennessee growers with up-to-date information to increase efficiency, productivity, and profitability in a sustainable manner. To evaluate new varieties, production systems and crop improvement products that could result in increased yields and profits for Tennessee producers. Plan to accomplish Goals: Extension activities will consist of establishing ten Cotton Variety Trials in ten counties. Current cotton agronomic information and recommendations were discussed on the newsletter site by Dr. Scott Stewart, Dr. Larry Steckel and myself at: http://news.utcrops.com/. A variety and cotton agronomy field tour will be held at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in September to present research findings. In addition to the field tour and written updates, defoliation demonstrations will be completed to provide producers with recommendations for defoliation programs. Up-to-date information and new publications will be continually added to www.UTcrops.com .

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In 2014, fourteen county variety trials of fifteen Roundup Ready Flex varieties were compared for performance. Similar to 2013, shorter season varieties outperformed later maturing varieties due to the general shortage of heat units. Official Variety Trials continue the search for yield stability in cotton cultivars. The top yielding performer was PHY 333 WRF. Other very good performers were earlier maturing ST 4946 GLB2, PX3122-b51WRF, PX3003-04WRF and PHY 495 W3RF. In the large-plot variety trials PHY 333 WRF, NG 1511 B2RF, ST 4946 GLB2, PHY 495 W3RF and DP 0912 B2RF performed very well. Due to the very late nature of this crop, location-specific results have not yet been released. However, trial averages for both the Official Variety Trials and County Standard Trials have been posted on news.utrops.com and be accessed at: http://news.utcrops.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/2015_TN_COT_VAR_GUIDE_W285.pdf The Official Cotton Variety Trial results and the large plot, on-farm County Standard Trial results are some of the most impactful research and Extension efforts UT conducts. It is the only truly unbiased variety testing service for TN producers and therefore is in high demand.

Publications

• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Raper, T.B. 2015 TN Cotton Variety Guide. University of Tennessee Extension. W285.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Raper, T. B. 2014 Tennessee Wheat Quick Facts. University of Tennessee Extension. W 321.
• Type: Other Status: Published Year Published: 2014 Citation: Raper, T.B. 2014 Tennessee Cotton Quick Facts. University of Tennessee Extension. W 319.
• Type: Other Status: Awaiting Publication Year Published: 2014 Citation: Dodds, D.M., D.B. Reynolds, L.T. Barber, T.B. Raper. 2014 Mid-South Cotton Defoliation Guide. Mississippi State Extension Service. (in press) pp. 1-10.

Progress 01/01/13 to 09/30/13

Outputs
Target Audience: Tennessee Growers and Consultants Changes/Problems: Chris Main has left the university and his cotton research and extension program is being filled in by other PIs. We plan to refill his position this year so someone can better oversea this project. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Data gathered from this research was presented in 1 Cotton field day, 14 county meetings and in the Cotton Focus annual meeting. Total contacts at these meetings exceeded 1400 growers and consultants How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? 12 blog postings at UTCrops news blog.Com; 2013 Tennessee Cotton Variety Tests (PB1742); 2014 Cotton Variety guide (W285) What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? OBJECTIVES: To provide Tennessee growers with up-to-date information to increase efficiency, productivity and profitability. To evaluate new varieties, production systems and crop improvement products that could result in increased yields and profits for Tennessee producers. Plan to accomplish Goals: Extension activities will consist of establishing ten Cotton Variety Trials in ten counties. Current cotton agronomic information and recommendations were discussed on the newsletter site by Dr. Scott Stewart and myself at: http://news.utcrops.com/. A variety and cotton agronomy field tour will be held at the West Tennessee Research and Education Center in September to present research findings. In addition to the field tour and written updates, defoliation demonstrations will be completed to provide producers with recommendations for defoliation programs. Up-to-date information and new publications will be continually added to www.UTcrops.com .

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? In 2013, county variety trials of Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex varieties were compared for performance. In general, shorter season varieties performed best as they were able to reach maturity in a year when DD60s were short. Official Variety Trials continue the search for yield stability in cotton cultivars. The top yielding performer was the medium maturity PX3750-01. Other very good performers were earlier maturing DP 1321, PHY 333, DP 0912, PHY 339, PX444-13 WRF and PHY 375. In the county starndard trials ST 4946 GLBS, DP 0920, DP 1321, PHY 339 and DP 0912 performed well in the county trials. All this cotton variety information has been posted on UT Crops.com and can be accessed at: http://utcrops.com/cotton/VarietyTestingData/Preliminary%202013%20Tennessee%20Cotton%20Official%20Variety%20Trials.pdf http://www.utcrops.com/cotton/VarietyTestingData/Preliminary%202013%20Tennessee%20Cotton%20County%20Standard%20Trials.pdf The Official Cotton Variety Trials and the On Farm Cotton Variety Testing are some of the most impactful research and Extension efforts UT conducts. It is really the only source for unbiased cotton variety performance producers can utilize in making variety selection decisions.

Publications

Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/12

Outputs
OUTPUTS: The University of Tennessee cotton variety testing program provides an unbiased evaluation of new varieties for commercial cotton production in Tennessee. Experimental strains are also tested, and major cultivars are grown in county variety demonstrations. Results are intended to help cotton producers identify varieties that are well adapted to Tennessee, produce high quality fiber, and are relatively stable in yield performance. Results are also used by the seed industry, crop consultants, and the UT extension service to assess varietal adaptation to field environments in Tennessee. The on farm trials were conducted at 10 locations all in West TN. The official variety tests were conducted at WTREC, RECM, Ames Plantation, near Chic, TN, near Tiptonville, TN and near Germantown, TN. PARTICIPANTS: Not relevant to this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Not relevant to this project. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.

Impacts
In the on farm and official variety trials 8 cotton varieties stood out in the "A" group and performed very well. These top 2012 performing varieties include: PHY 499, DG 2570, AM 1550, PHY 375, AM 1511, DP 0912, DP 0920 and DP 1028. These top varieties on average produced 100 lbs of lint above the "B" group. Producers utilizing this information for 2013 will have a high probability of earning an extra $100/A by planting this better performing varieties. The USDA estimates that TN will grow 300,000 acres of cotton in 2013. This would come out to $30,000,000 in additional income by TN producers when they plant the top performing varieties.

Publications

• Main, C.L., F.L. Allen. 2011. Cotton Variety Test Results. http://varietytrials.tennessee.edu