Effect of planting date, starter fertilizer, and fungicide interaction on cotton

Abstract

It is widely believed that starter fertilizer applications and fungicide treatments, either separate or in combination, can lead to increased plant stands and yields in cool, wet growing seasons. Over a three year period, tests were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of these treatments on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Two methods of starter application and two fungicide treatments were evaluated over two planting dates. Seedling stand counts and lint yield were measured. Our results show that on a North Carolina coastal plain soil there were no interactions between the treatments. A placement of starter fertilizer 5 cm to the side and 5 cm below the seed showed to have more consistent results in increasing plant stand and yield over a banded application. Fungicide treatments were not effective in increasing plant stands and increased yield in only one year over the untreated check. Yield was positively influenced by earlier planting dates and stand was found to increase in one year with an earlier planting date. Our results suggest that starter fertilizer applications can increase yield and plant stand in good years, but there is no interaction between starter fertilizers, fungicide treatments, and planting date on well‐drained coastal plain soils.