HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Free Full Text (PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in ISI Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via ISI Web of Science (3) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Pettigrew, W. T. Articles by Young, L. D. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Pettigrew, W. T. Articles by Young, L. D. Agricola Articles by Pettigrew, W. T. Articles by Young, L. D. Related Collections Cotton Soil Fertility and Productivity

Production Papers

Potassium Fertilization Effects on Cotton Lint Yield, Yield Components, and Reniform Nematode Populations

USDA-ARS, Crop Genetics and Production Research Unit, P.O. Box 345, Stoneville, MS 38776

^* Corresponding author (bpettigrew{at}ars.usda.gov)

Received for publication December 29, 2004. Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint yields have not changed appreciably during the last decade. Because more and higher infestations of reniform nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis) have been identified in mid-southern USA fields, this nematode might be a mitigating factor in the cotton yield stagnation. The objectives were to determine how varying rates of K fertilization interacted with different cotton genotypes to influence dry matter partitioning, lint yield, fiber quality, and reniform nematode populations. Nine cotton genotypes were grown in the field under two levels of K fertilization (0 and 112 kg K ha^–1) and two levels of aldicarb [2-methyl-2-(methylthio)propionaldehyde 0-methylcarbamoyloxime] application (0 and 1.68 kg a.i. ha^–1) from 1999 through 2001. Reniform nematode numbers and aboveground dry matter partitioning were determined at various times in the growing season. Lint yield, yield components, and fiber quality were determined at the end of the season. Cotton grown with K fertilization hosted a 12% larger post-harvest population of reniform nematode than the unfertilized control plants. Plants grown without K fertilization averaged a 10% greater specific leaf weight than the K fertilized plants. Of the 9 genotypes grown, only PayMaster 1218BR increased lint yield (10%) in response to K fertilization. An interaction between aldicarb application and K fertilization for lint yield during the 2000 growing season indicated that both reniform nematode parasitism and insufficient K fertilization may impose limitations to lint yield production. Large reinform nematode populations may be suppressing the yield response to K fertilization. Production practices that encourage robust plant growth may enhance proliferation of existing reniform nematode populations.

Abbreviations: DAP, days after planting • LAI, leaf area index • SLW, specific leaf weight

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Clement-Bailey and C. O. Gwathmey Potassium Effects on Partitioning, Yield, and Earliness of Contrasting Cotton Cultivars Agron. J., June 26, 2007; 99(4): 1130 - 1136. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]