Page 34 - 22 Cotton SA magazine

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COTTON STRIP TRIALS

RESULTS FOR THE 2019/20 SEASON

by Dr Annette Bennett, Cotton SA

Several strip trials were done in different cotton
production areas. These include KwaZulu-Natal,
North West and the Northern Cape. Seed cotton
yields (kg/ha) are given in Table 1, as well as “ The purpose
fibre qualities for each locality. of strip trials and the
Strip trials consisted of at least 12 rows applicability of results
under centre pivot or under dryland conditions
of each cultivar. For two localities for producers will be
the yields of Paymaster (PM 3225) carefully evaluated by
and the refugia (DP18 RF) were the Cotton SA research
also determined. Surprisingly, the
refugia presented a good com- committee. ”
parable yield when managed
carefully. Bollworm populations
were low this past season.
Micronaires were high in the
Upington area (Grootdrink), pro -
ba bly due to excessive rain and
abundant water, which caused
stress to plants. Plants can grow
vigorously when re ceiving too much
rain and irrigation, both adding
nitrogen, which could con tribute to
the esca lation in vegetative growth,
photosynthesis, and cellu lose for-
mation in the fibre, pro ducing a
“thicker” fibre (high micronaire).
Strip trials should be repeated at
multiple localities within a region
to obtain a true representation
of the cultivar effect. For the
producer, valuable information is
ob tained within his own manage-
ment system, but the question
remains: is it applicable to other
farms in the region? The purpose
of strip trials and the applicability
of results for producers will be
carefully evaluated by the Cotton
SA research committee. A strip trial planted under flood irrigation – Lower Orange River.

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