THREEâYEAR COMPARISON OF CONVENTIONAL AND ULTRA NARROW ROW COTTON PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Abstract

The introduction of transgenic cultivars, with resistance to certain herbicides has greatly increased interest in acotton production system commonly referred to as ultra narrow row. A threeyear study designed to evaluate this system wasconducted at the University of Arkansas Northeast Research and Extension Center at Keiser from 1995 through 1997. Thestudy compared cotton grown in 19cm rows and harvested with a stripper (ultra narrow row) to cotton produced in 97cmrows and harvested with a spindle picker (conventional). The plants in the ultra narrow row system were shorter than in theconventional system. Higher seed cotton yields were observed for the ultra narrow row system two of the three years, but lintyield was higher in only one year due to lower gin turnout. Several of the High Volume Instrument (HVI) fiber properties ofthe commercially ginned lint varied among the three years, but only micronaire was significantly affected by the productionsystem, consistently lower for the ultra narrow row cotton. Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS) analysis of thecommercially ginned lint indicated more visible foreign matter, higher short fiber content, and higher immature fiber contentwith the ultra narrow row system. In addition, the lint from the ultra narrow row system contained more trash and dust thanfrom conventionally produced cotton. Fixed costs (equipment) were lower for the ultra narrow row system, but higher seedand seed treatment costs made overall production costs higher. Breakeven prices for both systems were below the Arkansasseason average price two of the three years, suggesting a potential for profit.