Effects of crop residue and simulated rainfall on cotton herbicide efficacy

Cotton (Gossvpium hirsutum L.) has been traditionally produced on the Texas Southern High Plains with a conventional tillage continuous cotton system. There is substantial producer input into the conventional system, with tillage and land preparation being a major part of the production costs (19). Typical land preparation practices include shredding the previous year's crop stalks, discing, deep breaking or chiseling, discing, and bedding. A preplant incorporated treatment of a dinitroaniline herbicide and cultivation during the growing season is the standard weed control practice. Not only are inputs high in the number of trips across the field, but all potential residue to help protect the soil from erosion is destroyed.