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Description:
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An imperative issue facing production agriculture on the South Plains is water availability . Over time , water has been drawn out of the Ogallala Aquifer at a rate that exceeds its ability to recharge . Therefore , efficient irrigation levels and seeding rates that optimize cotton quality and yield are vital to this region . A two -year study consisting of one cotton variety , three levels of irrigation and three diverse plant populations was located at two locations in Lubbock County , Texas in 2007 & 2008 .
Irrigation played a significant role in many yield and fiber quality measurements . The lowest irrigation treatment matured the earliest and produced low yields but had the highest micronaire values . Lint yields were highest for the high irrigation treatment at two of the three locations , but saw decreased fiber quality due to lack of maturity . Seeding rate played a small role in determining yield and fiber quality . Three different weather patterns had varying effects on the results of this study . An economic analysis determined the net return from lint with regard to variable inputs in order to provide profitability comparisons for the producer .
The highest net returns from lint ranged from $1 ,308 .34 (Quaker 2007 ) to $2 ,851 .62 (Quaker 2008 ) . We conclude that weather patterns , coupled with irrigation , heavily impact fiber yield and quality in the Texas High Plains . |