SUMMER 1964 HIGHLIGHTS OF AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH _ _ W V: VOLUME 11 NUMBER 2 AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION, AUBURN UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS of Agricultural Research A Quarterly Report of Research Serving All of Alabama VOLUME 11, NO. 2 SUMMER 1964 REGAL - NEW LADINO WHITE CLOVER - Combines Sum- mer Persistence with Other Ladino Advantages 3 PLANT SHORTENERS - Make Possible Tailor-Made Plants by Applications of Chemicals 4 EARLY WEANING MAY BOOST PIG PERFORMANCE - Sows Handled Increased 33 Per Cent 5 PEANUT HULLS REPLACE HAY IN FATTENING RATIONS - Valuable Ingredient in Livestock Feeds 6 CHANGES IN FLUID MILK CONSUMPTION - Consumer is Becoming Low Fat Conscious 7 FARM MACHINERY CUSTOM RATES- Report is Based on State-Wide Survey Made in 1963 8 MECHANIZED PRODUCTION OF IRRIGATED COTTON - In- crease in Yield and Management Problems 9 DETERMINING PECAN FERTILIZERS THROUGH LEAVES - Leaf Analysis Shows Deficiencies- 10 SUMMER ANNUAL GRASSES FOR LATE SUMMER FORAGE - Fill Need During Critical Period 11 FERTILIZING YOUNG PINE PLANTATIONS - Has Little Effect on the Growth of Pines 12 THE GRANULATE CUTWORM IN PEANUTS AND CONTROL - This is a Damaging Pest in Wiregrass 13 Low SOIL POTASSIUM SETS UP COASTAL FOR LEAFSPOT - Disease Develops When Potassium Depleted 14 PEACH PACKING COSTS IN ALABAMA - Important Expense to State Producers 15 CONTROL OF AQUATIC WEEDS WITH FISH-Research Points Up Another Method for Combating Pest ...... 16 Ot C6e COVM Alabama's lagging interest in white clover pas- tures may be rekindled because of a new ladino variety, named Regal, that was developed by Auburn University Agricultural Ex- periment Station. The new clover overcomes the usual weakness of other white clovers - failure to last through the summer. Regal was found to have good summer persistence in tests made before its 1962 release. This plot of the new ladino, at the Station's Plant Breeding Unit at Tallassee, was photographed in late March 1964. E. V. SMITH COYT WILSON .... CHAS. F. SIMMONS KENNETH B. ROY E. L. McGRAW .... R. E. STEVENSON_ Director Associate Director Assistant Director Editor --Associate Editor --Associate Editor Editorial Advisory Committee: COYT WILSON; R. R. HARRIS, Associate Profes- ser of Animal Science; H. T. ROGERS, Agronomy and Soils Department Head; J. H. BLACKSTONE, Professor of Agricul- ew aad 7ely PUBLICATIONS Listed here are timely and new publications reporting research by the Agricultural Ex- periment Station. Bul. 347. Coastal Bermuda Pastures Com- pared with Other Forages for Dairy Cows reports how this popular forage performed under different management conditions. Cir. 136. Nitrogen for Dallisgrass Pastures in the Black Belt points up value of apply- ing nitrogen to dallisgrass. Cir. 138. Soybeans for Oil in Alabama sum- marizes results of studies on production practices for this important crop. Leaf. 63. Cooler Homes from Attic Venti- lation reveals how homes can be more com- fortable during summer by use of attic fans and ceiling insulation. Leaf. 68. Biology and Control of Spider Mites on Cotton in Alabama gives detailed information on this pest's life history and reviews effective control measures. Prog. Rept. 79. Controlling Chinch Bugs on St. Augustine Grass Lawns tells how damage from this pest can be avoided. Prog. Rept. 87. Summer Annual Grasses is a report of performance of the new sor- ghum-sudan hybrids that are now available. Free copies may be obtained from our University Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama. Published by AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION of AUBURN UNIVERSITY Auburn, Alabama I I It I I li t I I I I I I t i I ii ii Ii~i X I tti2 Ii iii XX ii i t ' i li ii i l i Appearance Alike, Performance Different ( k (" 1 i t)(1ill L (Iit I) i Developm, eni t, Doe iitok 1 952 t O i w~ [Ii ! ) ( i t 1 , \ 1 , \ ] ( 1 1 1 1 l ( ( I ' I ~ l U, I i/,I 26li 2 6,i i,57 ti 12 11)i \ .i I ' U l i Im i Ii ii l fIi I ti ii iii(l I Xi Ii ii iiitii Ii d i I t 11 Looked Good in Tests Typical plant choroctenistics of Regal lodino ore shown here. Al- though it looks like other varietics, its performance is different. REGAL- New Ladino White Clover VYI[FY C tMittN' ti Dept. t A poiioii iiit a i II k , t,,i it 1 , ti I W i I , "~ Seed .4 th new lodino clover are being grown in California. Showni is the first field to produce Foundation Reqol seed. ,') Ill I I'll it 1( 1 d I I I t I I ( I ( , I I I I , d I j i _, I 1( -1 1 ) I ( l(Im io li ( \ .1 1 . _ I I I I( I I( )I ( \ ( I\ ( I il it c l I I It ],it ( , I I, 111 (' d ilt( 11, I 11111( 11 c iltc l th itil tlllt 11 c , 't I It 1 11 1' -, I m I I i I I 'Ll i- I I I i'l I\ 't 1 1( 11 1( ) V i I ; I I S 1 1( 1 i I I( ( , , ,I I it I( ( , I I'l )i I, I i I It u 1 I \ ( I I I I I( ) " I ) I ( I( 11( t it )I I . I I i I I I ( I ( M I I it I I )I I I I I I 1 I I (, I ( ) I (.r I I I'l I I I I m I I I I I I 1 11 1,-,( )1 Ill I lk I I I( )I I" t t It I i I I )l I( 1 1( t t i'l I p I I I It I I I I I I I I I I t ill t d i lj I )I I I I( I it )l I I J 1 I lit, t I l 1 11 1 1 1 t 11 it II I I I J ill I )I [)],I 1 11 I I w , it I I (W 1, h ' I)t th illid ,till (., (1 [11 I'W _). 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PLANT SHORTENERS have many uses T0IK1,JII IJ F~RtUTA, D t k;,,t -li I \ t1111 1 ) L 1 Iii iiits i P i, Itit iI t I I I I II III ii~ k it iil. tI X i i t k i i t uIt I I lii, ii I I d i I I i I i t I 11 111I ,i iitii :ii liil II l I ii 111 II l_ Il I k l II IIhilliI i i I ti I ii I III il 1 1 II t I 111 I X i liil Ii tttii ill i I Il I Ii i i t i t I I t Il l I 1ii iX 1 t 1 1 i i t ii i t I I It t ( I i liiliiI I ~iill I Iil t I it lii I iu l t i i Xi lit'i , 1 1 ()lilt I )I i it I i t It i til II\ i l i l II Il );11, it lJii III ill lt, ;IIl i ( i ii ii li ii 111 i liit I ii t i illi Growth Influences I It () I u li 1 it,11 il ii i 11 1i 1 H I l 111111 k 'I It II 1 1 11 1 ii t ,I\ ( 11 ~ di ti,1 it 1i 1i t -l Ii it l (" I I l , 1i '( -1 '1'- iiL it)II d tk ' t i i f t " . \ ( i 1 1 it II (d 1 1 , 1 l_,d it I( t(1 ,) , \ I l l l i t \l \ lmili- l \t it I li li) t II - I I , 1 I (d I ( li I X IX I I . I)IIIIt, 111( iii 1 ) 1 ) 11 ti ll I \IX i Il I t I I X I t k I~ Ii i I I i IS I( Ii i t I I I II III I I I Factors Influencing Effectiveness lIt( ](, 11 Ilii 11 ImI tiii' litlil tutuli (m ] it lit;(till itititi( iiut'O 'd \ [ X iol lcildlillkX tIll IX I)( (di lit1 ki 11 1m t '1iiiit 111111 11111 [],( lN ili ',l.iI1 ti (i , X I I Ii l I I . I Ii I i i '.IIIII I I IIIII I Ii lii \\ l - 11c 1 1,11 ( I(' I I ) \ Il I ll (i l I ii lIi ii Il] ihi tl llk \\it ( i i (ii l li 1111 lul Ic'~hdI-h 1,Imilaionl \t t i I f/ ;I], I)f,11- (fl. titi \ lit I i~llillli Ii Ii ~ i dI ,lii1i' ti ill IIII iit~ i i lii llli Il lhi iti I(I til tt iiii iiii I 1111 t Ill , I li mi lc 11 1 ( ct )IS w til The group of plants at left are pottcd azalcas. The plant in left of group ischeck, center Cycocel treated, and at r ght B-ninc treated. Poinsettias were both treated with Cyrocel left, Ecke white, right, improved Albert Ecke. tlll Si , 11 x l l i ~ i l ii ~ ii 1111 I Procedure Used ll 111 lit l ilk xi ii 1 \ 1t o ltl itx (111,1 it I 'i I m iii Nlli ii li(d il til iii (d1 111 11 It 'l] of11 m i ic I ii Il l 'I c 1itiu* tll I,,- iitiii ( i li 11("I i It i :111 p it Ii! ~ ~ ~ ~ w (Ili] 111 II tl 1 111,ti t ill, l ~ (1 [ t ,t I I , .( l il 1ii liii' (\I kd ( ttil till 'i i t iit This litter of 10 carly weaned pigs averagedl 40 lb. at 56 days of age. EARLY WEANING may boost PIG PERFORMANCE LAVERN BROWN, S,ujxi L-,i Cu uiiii Piuui Suihxix, o-i HOWVARD TUCKER, Diz l fl An-mii c Sc''-", 1ii uiii f il ' - ill Ilililli it 1i' , i I'm c xiix iii t 1 1 1 'ii-o 1 l iiiiii ( )ll ( Ii 1\ Ix I I I' i i i 1k1 1* \I t i ii't ]liti 1 ii 1111111 ill It xx i i i i iI I 'ix x Ilii' itl l ix li x u' x I j \I \Ii I ) I iti \\ix 5 )\ , III \ . 'tiilm x (' I I li'' xl di I I()\ xx (I I (ilx i \h .t l' im i t iil 5Wi 'Ix [ I d i k ill I 1 1\ '' 'l ill( i t I'imi 'ii I -oi) \iiiiiiiiii111m AM) lx i I X u Hil)I " ', II ' I (ih \\x I, ) 1 lit I 'I " kll i, Mi 11), I l I t lii i I Li ll 11) Pm1,d 1 ( 1 iii lt )i , i o 11((I[ Ip c I -o i ,ii I I ) Ii p lIii i'l I itf - IIi, IIIii i of i , ' ( t i i thi m )t) ixx uiu ih tilil Iuu u I, li i' II li iil 1 1 11 S. I h Iii'x '1 iii ii Ii t~ 'i It, 1 911 i Wli~ 1,1\ili diiiii i Ii LI kiii 1 ii'i i lI , !,\\1 1,i i liii. Ii llptilil IhIi thit Limlit xiii iiiit lit, 11111 d ii, ~ iiilui ,11 .11 \414 4,14414 jil I ( 1 1 I d 1144 lilt illt k 1 141 it ItI 1 1 toIi iii 41 11 4 4. 144t4tII1 111 I W114 I I 111 .14 4114.4 I i I1( Jul I f t1I1I Ii I 44 I I I I I144 I I I1,144441 t 141 ii fll i 44 1 1 1ii I4 I I41 I144 I If I1S4t41 Ito I I I I4 I141 14114I I l~4~Iif 4 I 4 4 I414 I Ii III it I ItII11 lii I o II I 14Io II4 ~I \I II I , \ 4 ' I i ,III( I II I I4441\ II, 1)4l 1 414( i I f 4 t1444,' 4444114 444444 '111ff 1414 I, I II 1444 1,111441 14 41 114111 I', I 4 I'4 ft ~3 44 444 444 I 4 I 4444 I 44 44 4 44 1 114114 I 444444 411444144 14I4I44 I tol, o t I it II p11141111ll I \]I NOW Good Gains Recoided l41 4 i ld 1 A W 1 1) vd III 1444 O44 cii 1, ii 44( o I I , I I 44 I, o 1414 14 4'wi" 1 41 f ill) 444441. 44,44 Ur itll I,1 4 , (.( k fI -i4 ''iii '11 tlI(( 411444 ' fid 4 <9~ 4 I 4114 lot41 c 1444 1)1.1, (11 4 1 lt 44,1111c ~4 4~ I') 11), lot p -mlit hlll I(11 4 )()1 1). Peanut Hulls Replace Hay in Livestock Fattening Rations W B, AWt41 NY, R. NXJ U ARLINU, -o R R4 IIAP.I 114414 14414 444 i I Ill I) 44 4 44441 '1 II 4 114 44 14441 ''4 '114411.4 ill 44 4 44 144411 S '44 44 '4 444, I. .I I I 11 i'l j41 ut 141 111 m l 4,4d( 1)11iiii ()I] 14 A c lii,,i, mtI lp1 i Iml (d 44444114 I IiI44ll I ll t4l114l 144 I44 III I I I I 1414 I I s4I~j4 m 14 I I I fIt I II II I11 I, 1 t 1l 1 141 1 14 1 I Ilt I I ') (4 44(14 111W 1)('44 1111 11 il 1114414l 44,4t I441 14I4 4111) to 14' ( 44411tj )4 14 111\ 14441 I(tll .' 44 ~ t i ' illol till,1 111 4 11141 l 14444 ,414 hl14l (I 11141 ,114 'Li i t () )ttol4 (.r I4,444 J4ll( 1 ( I iiiI 11.1 'i lw 14 1 1 11 II 114144414,4(44_oIllw ()4141 14 ' 1 44) 4 1 I4111114 i 14,14Ill 1144 ill~lil ll 4141 I I ti j lll till,44 coi tI I I 444444 141414,111.44 .14441 )ff( Ill 444()I44141\\ 1t11i ll[ i 1, ( 1 to I 4 1144 41111441 4()t41 tlull '4I'( i4 "I 141 111411Ill44' t11114l 111111 llt lit I I l,4 tllt 12 I 4411 1111 4.41144 1111k 4 ("ill 1 11 \4 I I I I ()IIiI\ I I II NATIONWIDE, Mr. and Mrs.Consumer are becoming more low fat conscious. Demand for dairy products rich in milk-fat is declining, while market de- mand for low-fat milk products is in- creasing. Although consumption in Ala- bama has not changed much, increased use of low-fat dairy products could bring about more income to its industry. Changes in kinds and quantities of dairy products used by U.S. consumers have resulted in different trends in the use of milk-fat and nonfat milk solids. Per capita consumption of whole milk products declined 8% since 1956 and cream consumption dropped 21% since 1950, while use of skim and low-fat prod- ucts increased 78%, Table 1. Skim and low-fat milk products in- clude plain skim milk, fortified skim milk, flavored milk drinks, low-fat items (usu- ally 2% fat), and buttermilk. Most of these have a higher proportion of non- fat milk solids than whole milk products. Whole Milk Sales Drop The sharp drop in whole milk sales and fat solids since 1956 has been at- TABLE 1. PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION OF FLUID MILK PRODUCTS, UNITED STATES, 1950-62' Whole Skim Year milk milk and Cream Year umilk low-fat products products -rdut products Pounds Pounds Pounds 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954- 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960- 19612 19622 277 281 284 283 286 292 295 294 288 284 279 271 270 14.7 16.5 17.5 18.3 18.4 19.3 19.8 20.4 20.6 21.8 23.1 25.1 26.0 11.2 11.2 10.6 10.3 9.9 9.8 9.9 9.7 9.4 9.3 9.3 9.0 8.8 1 Data are on a product weight basis. 2 Includes Alaska and Hawaii. Source: Dairy Situation, USDA, ERS, June 1963. Changes in FLUID MILK CONSUMPTION LOWELL E. WILSON, Dept. of Agricultural Economics tributed to a number of factors. Intro- duction of fortified skim and low-fat milk products in many markets is an impor- tant factor. These products were heavily promoted by processors and sell for sev- eral cents a quart below whole milk. Skim and low-fat milk sales increased from 5.2% of fluid sales in Federal Order Milk Markets in 1956 to 6.6% in 1962. In some markets as much as 10% of fluid milk sales were in these items. Increased use of nonfat dry milk for drinking and cooking purposes probably affected whole milk consumption. Also, declin- ing whole milk consumption has been associated with health issues, increased use of semi-prepared foods, and com- peting beverages. Variation Among Markets The proportion of milk sold as whole milk varies little among markets, Table 2. Although skim and low-fat products account for a sizeable share of fluid milk sales in the United States, a large vari- ation exists in consumption of specific products in this group among market areas. In Alabama and adjoining South- ern States, much of the milk used in these products is consumed as butter- milk. Traditionally, buttermilk sales have been high in the South. In markets in other areas, buttermilk sales are often less than 1% of fluid milk sales. A survey conducted in 1958 of dairy products use by urban homemakers in Alabama showed that buttermilk was TABLE 2. PERCENTAGE OF FLUID MILK PRODUCTS SOLD AS WHOLE MILK AND Low-FAT MILK PRODUCTS IN SELECTED MARKET AREAS, 1962 Whole Low-fat items Total Market milk and Butter- Skim and fluid cream milk other items Per cent Per cent Per cent Per cent Alabama markets 1 -- 86.0 11.0 3.0 100.0 Tennessee Federal Order Markets ........................ 86.6 8.7 4.7 100.0 Mississippi Federal Order Markets 89.8 7.4 2.8 100.0 67 Federal Order Markets 91.3 2.1 6.6 100.0 1 Partially estimated. Source: Alabama data from Alabama Milk Control Board. Federal Order data from Fed- eral Milk Order Statistics, USDA, AMS, Stat. Bul. 335, 1963. used by 58% of the survey families and accounted for more than 20% of fluid milk consumption. Skim and flavored milk products were used by only 8% of the families and was under 4% of fluid milk consumption. Opportunity to Increase Sales Per capita consumption of fluid milk, including other dairy products, in Ala- bama is less than the amount recom- mended by nutritionists. The dairy in- dustry is interested in increasing milk consumption. Both producer and distrib- utor organizations actively participate in educational and promotional programs aimed at this goal. Such products as fortified skim milk and low-fat milk of- fer opportunities to expand milk con- sumption in Alabama. Increases in milk consumption are likely to occur slowly. However, con- sumer research by Auburn University Agricultural Experiment Station indi- cates that milk product consumption can be increased through educational and promotional programs. For these pro- grams to be effective in expanding milk consumption, they must be directed at individual groups of people. Promo- tional programs introducing new dairy products that are aimed at consumers in general are likely to change milk con- sumption patterns instead of increasing the total amount of milk products used. Consumer studies show that lack of in- come restricts dairy product purchases of many families. However, a lack of knowledge of the nutritional value and relative cost of dairy products as com- pared with other foods and beverages may be a more important factor. Most families purchase some whole milk; therefore, expanded consumption should be encouraged by present user families. Such products as skim milk, flavored and low-fat milk, dried milk, and cottage cheese are used by less than one-third of all families in Alabama. In- creased sales may be made by getting additional users of low-fat products. Farm Machinery CUSTOM RATES TOM D. NOLEN Dept. of Agricultural Economics C USO WORK~ x hh or !itCltitIC hirie irtasV mtake letter usc' iof hutl- itc'd capitalI oit inuat iA labamtta faitus. Axv(rage itx (stitti' t in) f,1 rio iiiac1 iti c atnd eqipmentii(t pie' firio has risett ftritnt $1,.841 inl 19.50 tit $4,591 ill 196:3.1 Man\ii farl](rs xWitht stoal I failii g oplerationl s calo 111t ('('1111)111ical lx justifv oxx ti sb ip of c'e'rtaini f arm niatcli ii ('. Ii x istinict t ill iither e'ssenitials for cec'on~omic prodtc'tiitl, suichitas fecrtilizc'r, scecd, itr feecd, cutuldf yield at higher rettirnt. Iii 1961, a USIDA sutrx'c'y sltiixxed that c'tttoin serxvices ac c'outed' for athout 20% o it t acreage c'otve'red iiall ll] arxvest- inig operatiolts, atid that 6 to 7/( it ] tilfeld xxioik xxas clis- toim Ili ed .2 Ili Alaharra. tht xc't('nlt itf mtach iote Itir' appears to lbe intc're'asintg, ats shoxwni bx the fitlloiix nlg daitit ilitituttlit spent lbv fatrmers: 19.51), $9,--384,069, 19.54, 88,50:3,284: aindi With irapid dclit te iltlt niIber o f fa rmts fro t 1tttI9501 to 19.59. the tlitiintt spetnt pe'r faiti11 fur iliaci itc hire iincreatsed gTreatl x. The tretidls totxwardl Iar-ger at td b etter euquiipped'( t rae totrs, tore self-propc'lled initilics, attld fec\er flartit wxottke'rs maty result iii fuirther (lep('ltilcc oi ciistiti xxoirk by fari ers. Alsit, iwnex ti m'xit iacinell(' it]ax dli custiom itxxiik ti jt 1st if itt Wtitte d' ittersb ip. Rates and Comparisons Ii) thei fall ot' 196:3, -374 fattors, somiei ilt all coittttics iof Alahama, supplied itfot mtatiiti fitr i stuldy iof clisttilt raite's patid oir chiargerd. Based otil tiis iifutrn iaitiomt thei tilost coliioi i tate antd tlte usual rillge itt vi tes Fur thte Statie i 196:3 xxetc dete'rinedt'(. (Sc table.) The t m'oast (ottmoniil rate w'xas thet~ ion repio'teId motist I lc quicutlx . The itsual ranitge ill rattes xxas deteriined ixv thei FTi' Bao ie' S/til otif Agriuiltti ii' 196:3. ift trtt. Bid. 281, Etou. Iles. Ser., 1. SIA. 2Farmiliu M citti: At S ticcy otf ( )titirs/il anoud (Fis to t Wto(irk. \gr-. Stalt. Bttl. 279. USDA.. M961. 'citis tof A X:'ictlturi', Alabamatii 19.50, 1 9.51 1.959. .S 0-. ( slis Bitteaum, 8 high andc lost rtets re(piorted pridd i lli1101e titti oite filincer o1 ct istoilm oper ator repo)rted su ch rates. Ctistolo operiators itii tallY c'largc' rates to 'ox cc costs of dIepreciat in, inteirest, repa irs, taxes, sutpp lies fon ishe d, an d lab ot. Al so, the opi jerator gel il l IN expects it reasotnalie pr ofit. III stiltie cases, th e ('1150)111 operator is prim ar 1 x iitercsted ill voluime ofi wxork or inucreased 1ho)urs of mnach joe u se to i edt ice his~ per hotur or peri acre co sts. To the farmer \\-]to) hires cu stonm xwork pe rformt]ed, tit( emttajor It tto Iia v lbe ill ax oiditig owntership costs of at certin Iloachitie bitt still hav e the serv ices of the mtchitic. The capi- ti] noiit tied i 1 )in it a iijit e of litmited t ise maxil he spentt for other things. lIn solittc cases, cuistomn bite mtayt be1 iay otV f tdi- taitii ig skil1led machit te lahor for the jolt. Labtlor oiltile I at it init ot intty tiot he reduiced. D)isadvasnotages canntit tbe ox ciiot ik ed. Ut isti tnt serv ices in av tlot he ax ailalile sxl(I heilmost ticecdl. Someitimeis qtialitv of custiim worik maxi libe belows statidard. Or, costs of Itiritig citsti wxo rk may lie hiigher than in ad title itxx I tersllop co sts. It i sotmte cases, a farti et hirinitg ci stoi mworiik max oi t he able to re(lease labor or tho use protfitably full-time hired lahor. At)- oth er d isadxvatntage is polss ibl e spreaid oif toixiouis we eds titti pfit ilt dliseases. Changes in Rates Ciustiomt rates apparleti' are slowv to change. The first stir- vcv oif' custitm rates iii Alahamai xx as iii 1951. The mnost colt] Itlon raite charged for breatking lanl iii 19.51 witas repititedh as $4 per acre. Ini 1958 it wxas $:3, and iii 1963 the 10(1st clii- ton ratte wxax $4. The most coimmion rate for comnbininig small grailt ill 1951 xxias $I10 pe'r acre, xxhlereas ill 1958 toid 196:3 it was $6 per acre. Other rates repoirted, genel ally, shtowxeid little eltaiip'. The 1 963 siirx'e it V etdld illcllc t est ion o il expecte'd rat(es tit Ihe~ chta rge'd or paid ill 1 964. Otte ot tif fiv of itthotse reporIt- iog exp(cted( ciustiin tates tot inicrease. Almiost 80% reported that they expected rates tit be aboutit the samie. Less than 1% iiidicatecl aii expe'cted rdeclinie iit) rates itt 1964. IDecis ions abot t wnx tershtip .111( use (of farmii mach ittes arc' atl ti mpo rtanIt part itf iait agci (ict. Alterntatixc's, inicluid in g ct stomy hite and etistim xwirk, itiost bec carefuchlly xveighted frotti ant econiomics standcpint. Cesiitxt lixE it ID Oii i Ciixtti i 1i, StLGE i FARMt 1 sx Ott. IA i Hiss, At ii xxi x, 1963 rate itt rai's Per acme t' $ 4.01) $2.00$.600 Per hour 4.0)1 2.1)0) 6.0)) Brakig .itlitig fte (litii ti ig i s l t llm I 'igit andic baltiitg bat Coitii ig r 1 ii ek itd bilingt lit \Crnuc picki g t sellittg Spitua ittg fot inisect antd Per ititur 4.0)) Pir actre 2.))) Pur acre 2.0)0 Per bitilt .20) Petr balt' .2.5 Fir lcit' 6).00) (r hitshiil .21) Per aucti 0 Shatrt' 1/4 Per atere :3.00) ])(c'm acre' 15.0)0 Pir potuntd lint .0)6 1.5)) .3. 5)) .3.0))- (6.1)) I.5)) :3.1))) 1.1))) :3.00) .1.5- .3)) .20- A0) .1))- .2.5 .1.5- .2.5 2.1)1-1)1.1)1 1/6- 1/2 2.1))) 5.00) 201.00-215.0)1 .106 .1)7 .5)) 2.0)) IRRIGATION will increase your cotton yield - likewise your management problems. For best results from irrigation, attention must be given all management practices. Machinery problems associated with furrow-irrigated cotton were studied at the Tennessee Valley Substation of the Auburn University Agricultural Ex- periment Station. The effects of variety and spacing on picker performance were reported in last winter's issue of HIGH- LIGHTS, Vol. 10, No. 4. Other practices studied including tillage, planting, insecticide and defoliant application, top- ping, and harvesting are reported here. Tillage and Planting After land shaping for furrow irrigation, all subsequent seedbed preparations were done without changing the graded surface. A two-way plow was used to prevent dead furrows, back furrow, and elevated field borders. Plowing was fol- lowed by harrowing and land planing. Planting flat and cultivating to form a furrow was as good as planting on a preformed bed and cultivating to form a furrow. After the post-emergence oiling operation, all sweep cultivations threw soil to the row to form a furrow about 5 in. deep at layby time. Fruiting height of the flat-planted cotton was about 1 in. below that of bed-planted cotton. This, however, did not affect efficiency of picker in this test. Application of Insecticides and Defoliants Irrigation was started about mid-July with applications at 7-day intervals unless there was rain. Water was applied at 1- and 2-in. rates per irrigation, averaging four applications per year. At times the high-clearance sprayer could not move through the wet middles. Also, as the cotton foliage became dense, it was difficult to follow the rows. It became necessary TABLE 1. YIELD, BOLL ROT Loss, PICKER PERFORMANCE FOLLOWING BOTTOM DEFOLIATION TREATMENTS, 1961 Yield Boll rot Treatment Date lint/acre lossint/acre Lb. Lb. Bot. def. Bot. def. Bot. def. Check Aug. 22 Aug. 28 Sept. 6 790 786 870 1,011 56 44 49 40 Harvesting Trash efficiency content Pct. Pct. 97.3 3.5 96.8 4.0 96.5 4.0 96.5 4.0 TABLE 2. PLANT CHARACTERISTICS AND MACHINE PERFORMANCE DATA FOR Two VARIETIES AT THREE IRRIGATION LEVELS, TENNESSEE VALLEY SUBSTATION, 1962-63 AVERAGE Variety and irrigation leveP Empire Io I, Auburn 56 12 Harvested lint per acre Harvesting efficiency 2 Earliness rating' Lb. Per cent 804 1,104 1,110 796 1,112 1.034 93.0 96.6 96.5 94.0 95.1 95.2 87 76 76 77 65 64 Trash content Per cent 3.3 3.8 4.3 3.3 4.1 4.2 to use an airplane for about half of the insecticide applications and for defoliation. Excellent defoliation was obtained with one application of liquid or dust each year except 1959. In that year two applications of dust 10 days apart were needed to obtain good defoliation of dense foliage. Bottom Defoliation In an attempt to reduce boll rot and aid harvesting, a high- clearance spray rig with a bottom defoliating boom was used to apply defoliants to lower part of the plants. Good leaf drop was obtained. A defoliant applied to the bottom 24 in. of 57-in. plants August 20, 1959, reduced yield and did not Mechanized Production of Irrigated Cotton T. E. CORLEY*, Agricultural Engin. Dept. J. K. BOSECK, Tennessee Valley Substation affect boll rot or picker efficiency. Based on boll count, the boll rot loss was equal to 275 lb. of lint per acre. Bottom defoliation of 43-in. plants on August 31, 1960, did not affect yield, picker efficiency, or boll rot loss. The boll rot loss amounted to 250 lb. of lint per acre; considerable boll rot had occurred at the time of defoliant application. In 1961 a defoliant was applied to the lower 19 in. of 39-in. plants on three different dates. The plants were small but there was a dense canopy of leaves and conditions were favorable for boll rot. Although all bolls in the botton 19 in. of the plant appeared to be mature at time of first treatment, the results in Table 1 show that all defoliation treatments re- duced yield. Picker efficiency and boll rot loss were not af- fected. These data show that bottom defoliation often re- duced yields. Topping at Two Heights Although the cotton in this test received high rates of fertilizer and water, the plants did not grow very tall and there was little plant lodging. In two tests, topping at 42 and 48 in. did not improve picker efficiency or affect yield and boll rot. Topping was done with a 4-row rotary topper mounted on a high clearance spray rig when average plant height was 6 in. greater than topping height. Average height at ma- turity was 56 in. Harvesting with Picker Irrigation presented no problems from standpoint of har- vesting. Two harvestings were made each year with a high- drum picker. The picker efficiency of the irrigated cotton was slightly better than that of the nonirrigated cotton, Table 2. Irrigation increased harvested yield and trash content. There was no difference in picker efficiency, yield, trash con- tent, or maturing date between the two irrigation levels. 1 Cooperative USDA, ARS, AERD. 1 _No irrigation; I1-1 in. per application; 2-2 in. per ap- plication. 2 1962 only. ' The percentage of total yield harvested at first picking. Determining PECAN FERTILIZER NEEDS through LEAF ANALYSIS HARRY AMLING and J. L. TURNER Department of Horticulture coists i)V lisil i ( iaf all iliixscs toi (let(,r Iiiteosix c reseairch xx as begunl at Aui burn Unkex rsitv Agricl tiurai Expceriminlt Staltiil Iill 19(66 tol gathecr dti to ti kc bllisd pecaii gi oxx'ci Mal N gdI \ v)5crs ilaxc aireatdy iised results of tiiis cesearcii tii ail atixan tage. Basis for Leaf Analysis Leaif alili Vsis is aj tItilIS iif (IjigiIilsilig lilti iti(101i status of Perenniiiiailx oiidx piants. This iiiiaix sis is biascd oii tiie Princtip]lc that fi)r ca ch iii itriei t eic lit cocertic i n rii l~lg it' ll cii tei beitii 10or abioxe xx 11ich niutieint disoirter~s tail beIt expeted.'t Also that the itieai conitcentra- tion o it ouiitriciit clemesnt ill Icas cs of' simlair ilgc xxiii lbt tile sInt rciiarllliss, of Soii type or tuiturill Practitce. I to~v- cxver, undter d iff erci t cturtoiai priact iccs o~r stoil ty ptes. (ifleltnt rates ilf I crtiliici xiii ibe rtuiiretd to obitain thec sam sc it's aibite nitrien t tillst'cotratilo ill the c Iti. Sampling Conducted N utrici t cicmnciits fluctuate as iaxcs b~ecome oildier. '1 ilci ciore. iniitiai rtesearch colnsistted o~f st'asoia samsplinig (If Stuart p(t'(l leaxvcs Iilioiitiiix tililril ( thte (41 ux scicctiti froim tiiis stolti \\itas tie ilist xx cc iilax M iii tiiogii thet fiirst 2 xx tiks Deficiencies Found tii bet tchiciilt dliii lixx Ical lcx cis of This pecan orchard may not show nutri- tional deficiencies to the casual observer but leaf analyses told a different story. Iel foun(11 d to be assotciatetd %ith higih idpplicittioil rates of phosphorus. Potls- sinnsl prolemts hiv axeen cd prim arily as- sociateti 55ith e'xcess leve'ls iiiticiiig inagncsiuro dcficiei cv. Toxic lceveis of a iilgint'sc adlt p is il x N aluim 0(110 x crc flii t to dcclui 1 atc iltu rally ill pcci 111lia gc. 13 spon ses obi tai ned frilm in ai ii tainiig at soil pH (If 6.5 max bec tihiat of ci Itil tiactii g thet nIatuiral mao gilcsc aii d illinjiminn acciiinulatioii. One i of til ciiiost sever t'V t' iti t jl d is- ordcers fiiui d throu1 ghiout tihc State is ina gi sili in tic ico cx Siiice correct ion of, inagiiesiiim deficicoicy genierally tak