| Plant spacing in cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L., is important due to cost of seed with value added traits. The objectives of this study were to investigate maturity, boll retention and yield for four cultivars using four within row plant spacings and two planting patterns. The study was conducted at in 2003 and 2004 at Mississippi State University. Cultivars were DP555 BG/RR, SG215 BG/RR, DP444 BG/RR, and ST4892BR and plant spacings were 8, 15, 23 and 30 cm. Plots were planted in a plant 4 skip 2 pattern. Data were collected from an outside and inside row from each plot. Plots were harvested for yield determination.; In 2003 and 2004, DP555 BG/RR produced the highest yields and DP444 BG/RR the lowest yields. In 2003, there were no differences in yield between the plant spacings in the solid planted. The 8 cm plant spacing, in the solid pattern, produced higher yields than the other spacings in 2004. Yield in the outside row varied between plant spacings both years. The narrower the plant spacing the earlier they matured, with the 8 cm maturing 6 days earlier than the 30 cm in the solid planted. |
