Impact of Starter Fertilizer on Cotton Growth, Development, Lint Yield, and Fiber Quality Production for an Early Planted No-Till System

Improved yield potentials occur when planting cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) early, but cool conditions associated with early planting can hamper seedling growth. Starter fertilizers could be a source of P for seedling growth under cool conditions due to reduced soil P mineralization. The objective was to document how cotton cultivars responded to starter fertilizer application when planted early in a no-till production system. Seven cultivars were grown no-till during 2008 through 2010. Plots received an in-furrow starter fertilizer application or were untreated. Dry matter partitioning, light interception, lint yield, and fiber quality data were collected. Stands were reduced 20% by the starter fertilizer. Few growth differences were detected by treated and untreated plots although the starter fertilizer did elicit a single 17% increase in the blooming rate at 90 days after planting in 2009. Despite the lack of growth differences and the reduced stands, starter fertilizer increased yields 4% in 2 of the 3 yr. Few consistent fiber quality differences were detected between the fertility treatments. Starter fertilizer application can produce a modest yield improvement when used in an early planting no-till cotton production system. Producers must decide whether this modest yield boost is economically sufficient to justify the additional input costs.