Productivity of Cotton Following Rice

Abstract

The continuous cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) culture practices of the Mississippi Delta tend to deplete soil organic matter and maximize soil losses. Conversely, rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in the Mississippi Delta produces considerable amounts of dry matter which offers the possibility of increases in soil organic matter and reduction of soil erosion during the winter. Experiments were conducted over 4‐yr, 1984 to 1987, at the Delta Branch Experiment Station, Stoneville, MS, on a mixed Bosket (fine‐loamy, mixed, thermic Mollic Hapludalf) and Beulah (coarse‐loamy, mixed, thermic Typic Dystrochrepts) very fine sandy loam to evaluate the effects of rice and cotton rotation schemes on cotton yield, growth, and soil parameters in subsequent years. In 1986, penetrometer data revealed increased soil compaction in plots previously grown to rice for 2 yr prior to cotton when compared with continuous cotton. These differences in soil compaction were not found in 1987. When compared with continuous cotton, cotton heights in 1986 were reduced following 2 yr of rice. In 1987, seed cotton yields following two cycles of a 1:1 rotation with rice were slightly lower than continuous cotton. In 1987 soil test Ca was lower in rice plots following a 1:1 rice‐cotton rotation than continuous cotton. Results indicated that continuous cotton was of equal productivity with rice and cotton rotations.