v

BULLETIN No. 209

k'P1IL, l920'

ALABAMA

Agricultural Experiment Station.
OF

THE

Alabama Polytechnic Institute
AUBURN

Time of Applying Nitrate of Soda to Cotton
PART I Experiments at Auburn, 1910-1916
PART II

Experiments in Various Alabama Counties 1914-1919
By E. F. CAUTHEN and JOHN T. WILLIAMSON

1920

Post Publishing Company Opelika, Ala.

STATION STAFF C. C. THACH, President of the College J. F. DUGGAR, Director of Experiment Station -AGRICULTURE: J. F. Duggar, Agriculturist
-E. F. Cauthen, Agriculturist
HORTICULTURE:

G. C. Starcher,

M. J. Funchess, Agronomist J. T. Williamson, Superintendent Co-operative Ex-periments in Agriculture H. B. Tisdale, Associate Plant Breeder 0. H. Sellers, Assistant M. H. Pearson, Assistant
VETERINARY

Horticulturist J. C. C. Price, Associate C. L. Isbell, Assistant

ENTOMOLOGY:

SCIENCE:

C. A. Cary, Veterinarian
CHEMISTRY:

W. E. Hinds, Entomologist F. L. Thomas, Assistant J. M. Robinson, Assistant.

B. B. Ross, Chemist E. R. Miller, Chemist

ANIMAL

HUSBANDRY:

Soils
IC.

and

Crops

L. Hare, Physiological Chemist

'3OTANY :

W. A. Gardner,. Botanist Robert Stratton, Assistant PLANT PATHOLOGY :

G. S. Templeton, Animal Husbandman J. B. Alford, Assistant E. Gibbens, Assistant G. L. Burleson,. Assistant F. W. Burns, Assistant

AG.

L. Peltier, Plant

PatholEDITOR:

ogist A. F. Thiel, Associate Plant Pathologist

Leslie L. Gilbert

SUMMARY

When 140 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre was applied to cotton at different stages of growth,-namely at planting time, first cultivation after thinning, when first squares appear and first blooms are visible,-the largest average increase (80 pounds of-seed cotton per acre) caine from the application made at the first cultivation after thinning, that is about 40 days after planting. These results were secured at Auburn before the boll weevil did serious damage. Under the conditions prevailing during the years when 14 experiments with nitrate of soda for cotton were Conducted in various counties of Alabama, the average of these fourteen tests indicate: (1) That nitrate of soda at the rate of 100 pounds per acre gave best results when applied by, or before, the time the first squares appeared; (2) That 200 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre when used in two applications, (100 pounds when "dirted" and 100 pounds about three weeks after the first blooms appeared), was more effective and slightly more profitable than was only 100 pounds of nitrate of soda; (3) That 100 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre applied when the plants were first "dirted" was more effective than was 200 pounds of cotton seed meal applied at the same date, each being followed with a later application of 100 pounds nitrate of soda. The tests at Auburn and in other parts of the State seem to indicate that the best time to apply nitrate of soda to cotton is either before or by the time the first squares appear.

TIME

OF

APPLYING

NITRATE

OF

SODA

TO

COTTON PART I BY E. F.
CAUTHEN

EXPERIMENTS AT AUBURN,

1910-.1916

The Experiment Station began in 1910 an experiment to find the results of applying 140 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre to cotton at different stages of its growth. The stages of application were (1) at planting, (2) "dirting" (first cultivation of the plants after they had been thinned to a stand), (3) appearance of first squares, and (4) when first blooms were visible. This experiment was made in some years on gravelly sandy loam upland and in other years on upland sandy loam with clay subsoil. The land was plowed in the early spring, a home mixed complete fertilizer put in the rows and bedded on. The rows were 3/2 feet apart. The plantings during the first five years of the experiment were made in the latter part of April and the first of May, and in the remaining years of the test they were made during the first half of April. Cook or Cleveland was the variety usually planted. Special effort was made to get a perfect stand of plants, and a uniform stand was secured every year. All yields are based on: a good stand at picking time. At the time of planting, there was applied a mixture of 160 pounds of acid phosphate, 100 pounds of cotton seed meal, (except in 1915 and 1916), and 80 pounds of kainit or its equivalent per acre. Each year 140 pounds of nitrate of soda was applied at the different periods indicated in the table. The cottonseed meal when used tended to obscure the results of nitrate of soda. The facts should be kept in mind that 100 pounds of cottonseed meal were used and that the tests were made on land fairly well supplied with available nitrogen.

Table I. Increase at Auburn From Applying 140 Pounds of Nitrate of Soda Per Acre to Cotton at Different Stages of Growth (1) Av. No. I Average I days be- 1 Pounds of seed cotton increase Stage of 1 Av. i tween per acre yearly over nigrowth date plantingI trate apIand appliplied 'at I I cation 119101191211913119141191511916. Av. planting
Planting. "Dirting" "1st squares" I "1st blooms" I 5-2 6-10 7-12 6-21.
Days. II

29 50 71

824 1241 1316 578 1185 7631 985 736 1471 1384 690 1112 87411065 748 1471 1350 680 1052 79011015 I 76011478112641 716 1182 71310191

I

I

I

Lbs.

80 30 34

(1) A complete fertilizer was applied before each planting, except in 1915 and 1916; see page 4. The above table does not show the. total increase from the 140 pounds of nitrate of soda, but only the increases made over the application at planting time. All side applications proved more beneficial than the one made when the cotton was planted. Of the three different side applications the one made at "dirting time," 39 days from planting, was the most effective. It gave an average increase of 80 pounds of seed cotton per acre more than the application at planting time. The later applications were less effective. The boll weevil reached Auburn in 1915. The infestation in 1916 was not sufficient to do material damage. Thus the results shown in the preceding table were obtained either with slight or no boll weevil infestation. After the boll weevil came, the plantings were made earlier.' The same experiment with some changes was continued through 1917, 1918, and 1919. Although this experiment proved inconclusive, it seemed to indicate that the stages of growth of cotton plants affording the largest increases from the application of 140 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre were planting time and dirting time. The best time to apply nitrate of soda has changed since the advent of the boll weevil. Before its coming the best time proved to be about 40 or 50 days after planting, but since its coming the best time seems to be at planting or at dirting time.

TIME

OF

APPLYING NITRATE COTTON PART II BY J. T.
WILLIAMSON

OF

SODA

TO

EXPERIMENTS

IN VARIOUS ALABAMA

COUNTIES,

1914-1919

The experiments recorded in Part II of this bulletin were made possible by the Local Experiment Law passed by the Legislature of Alabama in 1911. These experiments were conducted in various Alabama counties by selected farmers. In conducting these tests the writer endeavored so far as possible to have the nitrate of soda and the cottonseed meal used under natural farm conditions. The experimenters were directed to apply the nitrate of soda at certain stages of growth of the cotton. However, in doing so they were expected to make these applications just as they would have made them to much larger areas of their own crops at these particular stages of growth. In other words, an attempt was made to see that.these experiments were carried out on a thoroughly practical scale. In some cases weather conditions made it necessary to delay the applications of nitrate of soda beyond the time intended for its application. For the same reason, it was sometimes necessary to make certain applications of nitrate without covering; although the directions specified that it be lightly covered and thoroughly mixed with the soil. The areas on which the experiments were made were selected and measured by some representative of the Experiment Station. The correct quantity of fertilizer for each plot was weighed and sacked at Auburn and shipped to each experimenter in labeled bags. Uniform directions for applying fertilizers were supplied to each cooperative farmer, and from time to time representatives of the Experiment Station visited each experimenter to assist him in conducting the test and to take notes on the different plots, In some cases no fertilizer was applied other than the nitrogenous fertilizer sent from Auburn. In all cases where fertilizer was used other than that sent from the Experiment Station, the same quantity was. applied to each plot, and the kind and approximate

quantity applied was recorded. It is possible that in some cases better yields would have been obtained had there been made an application of phosphate, or of phosphate and potash, in addition to the nitrogenous fertilizer. The same strain of cotton was used thruout any single test. It should be emphasized that all of the experiments were located north of Montgomery, except one which was conducted twelve miles south of Montgomery in 1914. Had these tests been located in territory then heavily infested with boll weevil, it is probable that the earlier applications of nitrate of soda would have been still more profitable in comparison with the later applications. In calculating the profits ,prices nearly up to those prevailing now were assumed as follows: Seed cotton 12 cents per pound Nitrate of soda $75.00 per ton Cottonseed meal $70.00 per ton

AVERAGE RESULTS ON VARIOUS SOILS. OF APPLYING NITRATE OF SODA TO COTTON AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF GROWTH The following pages record the results of the application of nitrate of soda to cotton at different stages of growth in fourteen experiments on various soils in Alabama. These tests were made on farms of men especially interested in and suited for experimental work of this nature. The two forms of nitrogen were subjected to usual farm practices so far as possible in keeping with directions for time of application. Table II shows the average yields of seed cotton per acre; the calculated increases and profits, due to the application of nitrate of soda to cotton at different stages of growth; the rate, kind, and amount of nitrogenous fertilizer applied; and the dates of application.. (See page 8)

Table 117.-Average Yield, Increase, and

Obtained When Nitrate of Soda Was Applied to, Cotton at Different Stages of Growth
a ° o
"

Profit
°0 o

of fertilizer

Kind and amount per acre, and stages ofi growth for ap-

"C
0

Co WO
o

Lbs. I No nitrogen ____ __538_ 100 lbs. nitrate of sodal when first dirted just after thinning I May 31 100 lbs. nitrate of soda when .first squares ap-I. June 17 pear ___I 100 lbs. nitrate of soda cYwhen first blooms ap-________ July 3 -pear

Lbs.

Dollars

oote r

I
659 124 11.13

l

665 644 5

134 116

12.33 10.17

No nitrogen n

w

a

f

s

1___
_51l

100 lbs. nitrate of sodal

when first dirted just
after thinning
---

June 3

100 lbs. nitrate of, soda three weeks after first
blooms 200 appeared
-

719 *
July

175

13.50

17

lbs.

Just

meal when first dirtedl
after thinning
-

cottonseed l
May 31

three weeks after first
blooms *

00 lbs. nitrate of soda j

671

117
__ _________

3.29
__

appeared ~~ July 18 No, nitrogen_------ I
**Average

I 564**

Average 13 experiments. 9 experiments. Average planting date April 23.,

:SUMMARY OF RESULT FROM AVERAGE OF FOURTEEN EXPERIMENTS WITH COTTON These experiments with cotton were made on soils of about average fertility, as indicated by the yields of the no-nitrate plots. The average date of planting cotton was April 23. The average date of the first application of nitrate of soda was May 31. Table II shows that the largest increase in seed cotton (175 pounds per acre) and the largest profit ($13.50 per acre) were secured when nitrate of soda was applied to coiton at the rate of 200 pounds per acre, half being applied when the plants were first "dirted", just after thinning, and the second 100 pounds being applied about three weeks after the first blooms appeared. Constrast the above with the less favorable result from substituting cottonseed meal for half the nitrate. Where 200 pounds of cottonseed meal was applied when the plants were first "dirted", and 100 pounds nitrate of soda added to this three weeks after the first blooms appeared, an increase of 117 pounds seed, cotton per acre was secured, at a profit of only $3.29 per acre. Where 100 pounds of nitrate of soda per acre was used the largest increase (134 pounds seed cotton per acre) and the largest profit ($12.33 per acre) were obtained where the nitrate was applied by the time.the -first squares appeared.

Table 11.-Experiments
i

Kind and amount of fert. per acre and stages. of growth it was directed to be applied
, ,a A II

No

nitrate
s~ UU

UL~V\

CV~Y--LI rr\+-1

With Cotton in Macon, Lamar, and DeKaib Counties ,u 1919 1919 1919 B. F. Denton, Collinsville C. B. Sanders, Notasulga W. H. Vail, Miliport Date Date Yield Increase Yield Increase Increase Date seed above no nitrate seed seed above no nitrate above no nitrate cotton nitrogen I applied cotton nitrogen applied nitrogen applied cotton plots plots I per acre plots per acre per acre ~L Lbs. Lbs" Lbs. Lbs. Lbs.I 120 432 __;i----r 488 I r_

~

.-

I -

~

'Yield
r VL

i

_

I

irt

f

1

11 1

_

I
(

-IVV lr

CL

1

yT

1

1LV

aLbs

100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first "dirted" 144 -just after thinning -100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first squares ap128 pear -- - - - - - - i 100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first blooms ap128 pear -- - - - - - 128 No nitrate I lbs. nitrate of soda three weeks after first 128 blooms appeared --100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first "dirted"; and 128 100 lbs. nitrate of soda

22
r

June June

10
I

592
576
I
_I;

168
T

June 20'
i1I

680
672

204
208

June 14
June 21

10

160 152 ~~
l

July

81
'

100

-

July 2
I

560 400 544

July
~

-_

i

728 440
728

276

July 18
~rI

July 23

140

July

21 S

244
576

June 101FJune20 8
__-__-

672
23_July_21

264

1104

three weeks after first

blooms

-July

______

200 lbs. cottonseedII meal when firs;. "dirted"; and ___e___June 100 lbs. nitrate of soda three weeks after first 120
___
112
---

10 4
___
1o
1

[June 20 544 132

blooms

I
21
1 I

960
61

388

IJun IJun
July

29

14

July 18

14

appeared

_

July

23

_
41

__IIJuly

Jy29
1 I-

No nitrate

1

Table IV.-Experiments With Cotton in Cherokee and DeKaib Counties 1918 1918 1919 Kind and amount of J. J. Green, Cedar Bluff J. J. Green, Cedar Bluff J. W. Watson, Collinsville fert. per acre and Yield Increase Date Yield I Increase Date Yield -Increase-Date stages of growth it seed above no nitrate seed I abov no directed to be ap- cotton wie nitrogen applied cotton nitrogen applied cotton nitrogen applied plied per acre plots I per acre plots I per acre plots Lbs. 1 Lbs. I Lbs. 1 Lbs. Lbs. Lbs. I I I 688 744 __--720 No nitrate 100 lbs. nitrate of soda when. first "dirted" June12 968 228 May29 88] June 6 760 200 just after thinning .- 1008 100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first squares apJune 20 904 168 June 20 976 220 June 20 752 96 pear _______________ 100 lbs. nitrate of soda

was

when first blooms appear _______________
No nitrate _____

912
792

138

July 17

744
624 1

104
_728

July

5832

100

July

3

1

__

100 lb.nitrate of soda three weeks after first blooms 100 lbs. nitrate of soda "dirted";l when and lbs. nitrate of soda

920

144

July 28 June 6

688

84

July

25

848

116

July

14

first

1064

304
July 28

688

104

three weeks after first_____I______________ __ _ blooms appeared

1
_

May

29

July 2

832
__________i

96

I

I

July

8

___?______

200 lbs. cottonseed meal when first "dirt-j ed"; and 100 lbs. nitrate of soda three weeks after first
blooms

[_____ June 952
_ _I

6 688 124
_

[May

29 888___1___

June 12

~ appeared

11______
208
_ _~

148
__

J
J_ uly

July

28_

__

July

8

No nitrate----------728$I544

744

I_

24
_

_

_

_

_

Table V.-Experiments With Cotton in C hctmbers, Limestone, and
Kind and amount of B. H. Andrews, Lafayette fert. per acre and Yield Increase Date stages of. growth it seed above no nitrate was directed to be ap- cotton nitrogen applied plieL per acre - plots
No nitrate 1918

Jefferson Counties
J. R. Greene,
1917

N. R. Nichols, Athens
Yield

1917

seed cotton
per acre

Increasel above no
nitrogen
plots

nitrate applied

Date

-------

Lbs.
832

Lbs.

1
_

Lbs.
320496

Lbs.

seed cotton nitrogen per acre plots Lbs. Lbs.

Yield

IncreaselDate above no nitrate
-

East'Lake

applied

100 lbs.nitrate of soda when first " dirted" just after thinning -100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first squares-ap-I pear 100 lbs. nitrate of soda

992
1088

-

128
192

May 15 June
1

400
512

I

76

June 15 July 1
1

576
600

I

84
120

June
June

6 27

I 184
276

when first blooms appe.ar_
No
;nitrate

960
960 '

32

June 25

608
336480.

15560

76

June12

three weeks -after first blooms appeared 10 lbs3henitrate f soda 10lsntaosoawhen first "dlirted";

100 lbs. nitrate of soda

992

4

I July 15.600
May 15

260

Aug.

4

568

86

Aug.

1

andj 100 lbs. nitrate of soda
blomsapeaedJuly

June 15

July 12

1040

24

672
15______

328
-

672.
Aug.
n

188
___

4____

Aug.1
6

200 lbs. cottonseed meal when first "dirtIJn
ed";-and

--

f----May
1 15

5IJn

720n2

100

lbs. nitrate of soda

800
1072
I

244

three weeks after first
No nitrate----------

1______
608
352

260

72

34
Ag

~

g
488

Table VI.-Experiments With Cotton in Chilton, Autauga, and Shelby Counties
Kind and amount of
fert. per acre

mon. Kidan

f1916

stages of growth was directed to be applied

and

it-seed
400 320 448 464 480
336

John Mims. Clanton Yield Increase Date above no nitrate cotton nitrogen applied
plots I

per acre

D. L. Yarbrough, Prattville Yield Increase I Date seed above no nitrate cotton nitrogen I applied
per acre plots

1916

Claymont Farm. Vincent
Yield

1916

I
I

seed above no cotton nitrogen per acre!plots
Lbs. Lbs.

IncreaselDate nitrate
applied 96 June 5

Lbs.

Lbs.

I

100 lbs. nitrate of soda

when plants ' were dirted No nitrate 100 lbs. nitrate of soda ;

I

I
80 May 20
_ _

Lbs.

Lbs.

I
718 666 708
652

I
April 21272

I

I 124
136 148

52 I176 I 61
24

when first squares appeared
100

June 13

May 103041120
June 6240
I

1June20
July 1

when first blooms ap-

lbs.nitrate

of soda

peared

I

June 24 July 15

481
56

100 lbs.nitrate of soda three weeks after first blooms appeared.
No nitrate

694
590

I II

85

June

27,256

July 25

1

I208
F
264
'prlflJune5
un

100 lbs. nitrate of soda .
when plants dirted; and were
.544

I

I([May II
208

--

I

.2I(Api2

2

three weeks after first
blooms appeared

100 lbs. nitrate of soda 200
lbs.

854
June________

304
iue
Jne21,_____Jul___ ___

1

96
___

Jl
y

2
2

10

meal

when

cottonseedIIII

were. dirted;

and,- --

plantsII

May

20

1

21

~April
256
___

June

5

three weeks after first

lO0 lbs. nitrate of soda

544

208

blooms appeared ___I

I

682 [June 10

92

IJune 19

II

48 July 25

Table VII.-Experiments and

With Cotton in Marshall Montgomery Counties Dewitt McGhee,

f1915 Kind and amount of 7th Dis. Ag. School, Albertville fert. per :cre and stages of growth it Yield Increase Date was directed to be ap- seed above no nitrate plied cotton nitrogen applied per acre Lbs. plots

Kidadaon

1914

Lbs. jit
____

per acre Lbs.

cotton

Yield seed
832
752

Montgomery
nitrate applied

IncreaseIDate

above no nitrogen
plots

Lbs.
80

1 0 lb .n lana e o w ere en d8p t ts sowh No nitr~ate

8.
784

0

o giv en
____

1May
____

12

100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first squares

peared

ap-

I
792

I
108 June 16

I

50

Not given,848

100 lbs. nitrate of soda when first blooms appeared _ _ _ __ _ _ ._ 100 lbs. nitrate of soda three weeks after first blooms appeared No nit-ate __1______ 100 lbs. nitrate of soda when plants were(
dirted; and

7_ 60 720
6

I

I
60 62 Not given
I Not given
_

872 840
704

144 124

June 25 July

25

___________

-----

j.

May

21

100 lbs. nitrate of soda 920 three weeks after first blooms appeared ___ ___Not 200 lbs. cottonseedt meal when plantsI
were

304

I_

Not given givenII

680
_

24
_

I L

June 25
May

dirted;

and

- _

12

100 lbs. nitrate of soda
t r e wappeared -_ e sat rfrtblooms

824

208 I

Not given

800,

96
June 25

Not given

Table VIIl.-Nitrate of Soda Applied to Cotton at Different Stages of Growth; Details rents Conducted in Various Counties of Alabama.
Previous Cropping Location. P. &. directiotfromosu nd Ya dieto soil sbolivan rmcliainyear adin Years culttac
,.any
I

Relative

to Exp

Preceding

Two

years preceding

o

4jr

0w

ihrfriie sdadrt terfrtlie ue

4-1

per acre of applyin

1919 Notasulga 1 mi. N. W. of Millport 1 mi. E. of Dawson 1919 1lmi. W. of 1919 Cedar Bluff 1/4 mi. S..E. of 1918 Cedar Bluff 1/4 mi. S. E. 11918 Collinsville 3 mi. S. of 1918 LaFayette 8 mi. S. of 11917 Athens 4 mi. S.of 1917 East Lake

(a( Gray
(b)
(b)

sandy loam

Yellow

stifferI

(a)Girayine sandy (b) Stiffer yellow (a) Gray sandy
Yellow stiffer

Many
Many Many
____

Corn and Velvet BeansCorn Corn Cotton
______

Corn and velvet beans

4-21 16-10 4"28 16-20 4-29

200 lbs. Acid
No other

Phosphate

Cotton
Cotton

(a) Fine Gray
(b) Yellow stiffer

Corn and peasI4-24 Cotton Corn Cotton
_______I___

6-14 1 100 lbs. 12-2-2; 1100lbs. Acid Phosphate 6- 6 200 lbs. Acid Phosphate 5-29
6-12

Of

(a) Fine Gray
(b) Yellow stiffer (b) Red clay

Many

Corn and peas Cotton
______

5-1
5- 1

200 lbs. Acid Phosphate
________ __

_______________________

(a) Fine gray gravelly Many (a) Red sandy loam About 20
(b) Stiffer red
____

No other

Corn and velvet beans

4-10 5- 1
__

5-15
__

400 lbs. Acid Phosphate
__________

(a) Red clay
(b) Red clay
-

About 10
____

Oats followed
by cowpeas

Corn
__________

6-15__ _

200 lbs. Acid Phosphate
___________

5 mi.

N.

(a).Red clay
(b) Red clay

Many
____

Cotton
_____________

Corn Corn
______

4-18F 6- 6
__

1200 lbs. Acid Phosphate
__________

W. of

Clanton 4 mi. S. of Prattville 5Smi. E.ofI Arkwright 3 mi. S. of Albertville 1/4 mi. S. of

Many 11916 (a) Gray sandy ____ (b) Stiffer yellow 11916 Gtrready loam About 12

(a
(b)

Cotton
______

4-201 5-20 1
4- 7
__

11916 (a) Grayish

Red clay_____

fine

Corn

and

Cotton

4-21
___Sibs.

Acid Phosphate

Many

Corn and velvet beans

Cotton
________I

200 lbs. Acid Phosphate;
sulfate of ammonia

Montgomery

1915 (a) Gray sandy (b) Stiffer yellow 1914 (a) Gray prairie

Many
Many

Corn Corn

Cotton
Corn 4- 1 5-12

12 mi. S. of

I

240 lbs. Acid Phosa

50 lbs. muriate of potash

(a) Character of soil. (b) Character of subsoil.