Project Details:

About 23,000 acres of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) were grown in Virginia in 1993, compared with 2,500 acres 3 years ago. This acreage is expected to increase by 12,000 acres in 1994. Almost all of the cotton produced in Virginia is grown on coarse-textured soils that are subject to leaching.

Potassium nutrition is important for every aspect of cotton yield and quality. Research conducted in Arkansas and California showed increased yield and quality of cotton in response to K fertilization. There is no information available in Virginia that shows effects of soil- and foliar-applied K on cotton yield and quality. Soils obtained from the area where the experiments were conducted (Piedmont and Coastal Plain) indicated 'medium' soil K (116 lbs K/acre).