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This study evaluates the economic effects of different termination timings for irrigation and plant bug control on cotton production. The research aims to determine if longer periods of irrigation and insecticide application benefit producers through increased yields, fiber quality, and profits. Data from a three-year experiment at the U of A Lon Mann Cotton Research Station were analyzed to establish economically viable termination guidelines based on crop maturity.
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Economic Impacts of Termination Timing for Irrigation and Plant Bug Control Juan Monge* Diana M. Danforth* Tina Gray Teague** Mark J. Cochran* J. L. Lund** T. J. Sangepogudavid** *Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville **Department of Entomology, University of Arkansas at Arkansas State University
Problem Statement • Circumstances • Pest pressure: Bugs – 535,326 cotton bales • Constant draught: Worst in 20 years • Rising energy prices • Achieve appropriate earliness • Consequences • Frequent irrigation and insecticide application • Higher production costs
Objectives • Determining if longer periods of irrigation and insecticide control reward producers through: • Higher yields • Fiber attribute values • Profits • Establishing economically profitable termination guidelines based on crop maturity
Experimental Design • Yield and fiber quality data • Three-year experiment at U of A Lon Mann Cotton Research Station • Designed as a split plot • Main plot: Irrigation termination (5 levels) • Rainfall in 2005 and 2006 • Sub plot: Insect control termination (4 levels)
Experimental Design • Nodes Above White Flower (NAWF) • Monitored using COTMAN • HVI fiber quality determinations • International Textile Center at Texas Tech University • More technical information: • Teague et al. (2005) • Danforth et al. (2006)
Lint Values • Market adjust the price of cotton • 2004, 2005 and 2006 CCC loan schedules • Micronaire, color/leaf grade, fiber length, uniformity and strength • Base loan rate: • 52.00 cents per pound
Irrigation and insecticide costs • Irrigation costs • Furrow irrigation • $7.96 per acre per application • Insecticide costs • Applied with a 60-foot John Deer Hi-Boy • $1.04 per acre • Insecticide prices are constant
Statistical analysis • Variables analyzed using ANOVA for the different irrigation and insect control treatments • Yields (lbs/acre) • Lint values ($/lb) • Profits ($/acre) • Mean separation – Fisher’s Least Significant Difference
Irrigation termination 2006 *Termination at NAWF=5 + 166 DD60s is equivalent to NAWF=5 + 366 DD60s because of rainfall.
Problem Statement • Insect control termination • NAWF = 5 + 280 DD60s • Yield and profits did not increase beyond 280 DD60s • COTMAN guideline (350 DD60s) can economically be applied to tarnished plant bug • Irrigation termination • NAWF = 5 + 360 DD60s • Yield and profits did not increase beyond 360 DD60s • Irrigation termination based on COTMAN monitoring is feasible