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Soil Temperature Important For Cotton Planting
ALEXANDRIA, LA.
Cotton farmers should look to soil temperature rather than the calendar for optimal planting time, according to LSU AgCenter experts.
Cotton is usually planted between mid-April and mid-May in Louisiana; however, recent cooler temperatures may have slowed seasonal spring soil warming and could significantly affect the critical germination period required for the tropical plant.
That is why it is important to monitor soil temperature and the five-day weather forecast before planting.
“If planted too early, survival of cotton seedlings will be reduced, and the remaining plants are less vigorous, which can cause reduced yield potential,” said AgCenter cotton specialist Dan Fromme.
“Warmer temperatures are needed the first four to five days after planting when the seed begins to germinate and imbibe water followed by the tiny roots, or radicles, beginning to emerge from the seed,” he said. “This will lead to a more rapid emergence and less energy used trying to emerge from the soil.”
A cumulative effect from cool temperatures during the germination period can result in stand loss and yield reduction.
“If emerging seedlings are injured, they will lose the capacity to manufacture vital carbohydrates and proteins needed to remain vigorous and healthy during the early vegetative stage of development,” Fromme said.
Malformed seedlings, loss of the taproot, reduced vigor, undesirable stand and increased likelihood of seedling disease problems are some of the potential results from chilling injury.
“The longer the seeds are exposed to the cold, the severity of injury increases, causing delayed maturity and reduced yields,” Fromme said.
“Delayed planting of up to four weeks until optimal conditions exist may only result in a one- to two-week difference in flowering,” he said.
Several factors determine the time required for soil temperatures to reach optimum levels.
• Warm ambient air temperatures transfer energy by convection to raise soil temperatures.
• Sunlight provides radiant heat that is absorbed by the soil surface.
• Soil surface moisture will produce a cooling effect due to evaporation and requires more heat from sunlight or warm air for warming.
• Soil texture and color can affect how rapidly soil warms. Sandy soils hold less moisture and warm faster than clay soils. Darker soils will absorb heat at a faster rate than lighter-colored soils.
• Higher levels of crop residue on soil surfaces can result in slower soil warming due to increased soil moisture.
Farmers should look for a mean daily temperature of 65 degrees Fahrenheit or greater at a 4-inch seeding depth measured each day at 8 a.m. for at least three consecutive days.
Research has shown that yield potential may be reduced when the accumulated number of 60 degree days is less than 10 during the five days following planting.
“For each day beyond the first 10 days post-planting that emergence is delayed, yield potential declines by about 0.7 percent,” Fromme said.
More information on how to determine the five-day outlook for 60-degree days can be found in LSU AgCenter Publication No. 3661, “When to Plant Cotton,” online at https://bit.ly/plantingcotton.
Hourly soil temperatures at the 4-inch planting depth in Louisiana can be found online at weather.lsuagcenter.com. ∆
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