Effects of Different Cover Crops and Cotton Planting Rates on Cotton Production in a No-Till System

Single species cover crops and cover crop mixtures, especially legumes, can protect the soil surface and increase soil organic matter in a no-till system. Cotton producers who focus on soil health are interested in maximizing their economic return by minimizing production cost while maintaining yield. Producers can accomplish this by manipulating cotton seeding rates. From 2017 to 2020 field experiments were run in central Alabama to evaluate the effects of cover crop species (cereal rye [Secale cereale L.], crimson clover [Trifolium incarnatum L.], and cereal rye + crimson clover) and cotton seeding rates (54,116, 108,232, and 180,387 seeds ha-1) on no-till cotton production. During the experiments, biomass for cereal rye and crimson clover was similar (5,540 kg ha-1) but was lower compared to their mixture (6,469 kg ha-1). Seed cotton yield in 2018 and 2020 was similar, averaging 4,597 kg ha-1. In 2019 the yield was substantially reduced to 2,068 kg ha-1 due to severe drought. Profit in 2019 was $1,484 ha-1 compared to higher average profit of $6,209 ha-1 in 2018 and 2020. Yield and profitability were greater using the medium or high seeding rate during the 2018 and 2019 seasons. However, under severe drought conditions (2019 season) the low cotton seeding rate was similar in yield and profitability as the medium and high seeding rates. Overall, yield and profits were influenced by cotton seeding rate and weather and not by cover crop type.