Effects of ‘Carpramid’ on nutrient uptake and lint yield of cotton

Abstract

Growth‐enhancing compounds have become some of the many inputs used in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems across the United States Cotton Belt. Their usefulness, however, in producing high yielding, high quality cotton remains to be resolved. In 1996, a new product emerged on the cotton market that may aid nutrient absorption during reproductive development. Amisorb (polyaspartate), chemical name ‘Carpramid’: copoly‐[(3‐carboxypropionamide)(2‐(carboxymethyl)acetamide)] developed by the Donlar Corporation (Bedford Park, IL) may improve a crops ability to take up nutrients, resulting in improvements in yield and quality. Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to evaluate the effects of ‘Carpramid’ on nutrient uptake and lint yield on cotton. Experiments were conducted in 1996 and 1997 at the Coastal Plain Experiment Station in Tifton on a Tifton loamy sand, the Southeast Georgia Branch Station in Midville on a Dothan loamy sand, and the Southwest Branch Experiment Station in Plains on a Greenville sandy clay loam. ‘Carpramid’ was applied with starter fertilizers 5 cm to the side and 5 cm below the seed drill (2×2) at planting in all experiments. In the two years of this study, ‘Carpramid’ was investigated in four separate studies. ‘Carpramid’ had no positive effects on emergence, main stem nodes, shoot nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), or sulfur (S), or lint yield in any of these studies. Lint quality was also assessed in the 1997 studies, but was not significantly affected by the treatments imposed. These data do not provide any basis for recommendation of ‘Carpramid’ as a nutrient‐ or yield‐enhancing product.

Notes

Corresponding author (e‐mail address: [email protected]).