Cotton Incorporated
Cotton Incorporated

  • Search
  • About
    • Corporate
      • Worldwide Offices
      • Board of Directors
      • Careers
      • Research Proposal Guidelines
    • History
      • Company Timeline
      • Cotton Hall of Fame
    • Sustainability
      • Sustainability Goals
      • Pioneers of Progress
    • Pressroom
      • Press Releases
      • Video Archive
      • Biographies
      • Did You Know?
    • Event Calendar
    • Seal of Cotton trademark
    • Our Websites
    • Social Media
    • Cotton Industry Websites
    • Contact Us
  • Market Data
    • Monthly Economic Letter
      • Cotton Price Definitions
    • Executive Cotton Update
    • Supply Chain Insights
    • Supply Chain Video Insights
    • Cotton Market Podcasts
      • Chinese Cotton Policy Podcasts
      • Pass-Through Series Podcasts
      • Educational Series Podcasts
  • Cotton Production
    • Ag Resources
      • Cotton Crop Market News
        • Cotton Market Weekly
        • Cotton Marketing Planner Newsletter
      • Cotton Farming Decision Aids
        • 2014 Farm Bill – Farm Program and Insurance Decision Aid
        • 2015 Pima Cotton Loan Valuation Model
        • 2017 ELS Cotton Loan Calculator
        • 2017 Upland Cotton Loan Calculator
        • Cotton Basis Tools
        • Cotton Harvest Cost Comparison Program/Decision Aid
        • Cotton Irrigation Decision Aid
        • Cotton Module Transport Calculator
        • Cotton Precision Agriculture Investment Decision Aid
        • Cropland Rental Tool (CROPRENT)
        • Precision Agriculture Yield Variability Analyzer
        • South Plains Profitability
        • The Agricultural & Food Policy Center
      • Spotlight on Cotton Growers
        • Alternative and Low-Cost Sources of Lime and Fertilizer
        • Satellite Imagery Technology to Manage Variable Soil
        • Year-Round Expert Advice to Cotton Growers
        • Precision Input Cost Reduction
        • Innovative Water Sharing System
        • No-Till, Double-Cropping System Yields Costs Savings
        • Manage Heat with Innovation for Cotton Production
        • Soil Variability Lessons Learned
        • Using Gray Water in Cotton Production
      • Websites & Online Resources
        • Cotton Cultivated
        • Focus on Cotton
        • Regional Breeders Testing Network
        • Seed Matrix
        • COTMAN™ Crop Management System
      • Cotton Harvest Systems
        • Cotton Harvest System Videos
        • Seed Cotton Handling Storage
          • A Brief History of Cotton Modules
          • Case IH Half-Length Modules
          • Forming Covering Conventional Modules
          • John Deere Round Modules
          • Module Covers
          • Module Types
          • Proper Cutting of Plastic Wrap on Round Modules
          • References
          • Safety
          • What Is at Risk When Seed Cotton Is Stored
        • Stripper Harvesting
          • Background of Cotton Harvesting
          • Fiber Quality
          • In-Season Procedures
          • Preharvest Preparation
          • References
          • Safety Is Your Responsibility!
          • Stripper Harvester Preparation
        • The Spindle-Type Cotton Harvester
          • Appendix: Harvest Loss Calculations
          • Basic Safety Precautions
          • In-Season Procedures
          • Maximizing Harvester Capacity & Productivity
          • Preseason Procedures
          • Seed Cotton Handling Systems
          • Suggested Reading on Cotton Pickers
          • Introduction
      • Irrigation Management
        • Cotton Water Requirements
        • Initiating and Terminating Irrigation for the Season
        • Irrigation Scheduling Tools
        • Irrigation Systems Overview
        • Management Considerations for Irrigated Cotton
        • References and Additional Resources
        • Sensor-Based Scheduling
        • Water-Sensitivity of Cotton Growth Stages
        • Why Irrigate Cotton?
        • Why Schedule Irrigation?
    • Ag Research
      • Agricultural Economics
        • Farm Finance
        • Cotton Futures and Options
        • Crop Insurance
      • Agronomy
        • SeedMatrix.com
        • Rolling High Rye for Conservation of Tillage Cotton Success
      • Cottonseed
        • Cottonseed Market Prices
        • wholecottonseed.com
        • Whole Cottonseed a Super Feed for Dairy Cows
        • Cottonseed Press Releases
        • Cottonseed Storage
        • Cottonseed Goes With the Flow
        • EasiFlo™ Cottonseed Research
      • Engineering
        • ENSO and Cotton Yield Variability
        • Ginning Research
        • Precision Crop Management for Cotton
          • Other Precision Agriculture for Cotton Websites
          • Precision Cotton Technology Providers
        • Ultra Narrow Row Cotton Harvest to Textiles
          • Fiber and Textile Quality
          • Finger Stripper Harvesting Technology
          • Ginning Stripper Harvested Cotton
          • Marketing Stripper Harvested
          • UNRC Research and Production Experiences
      • Entomology
        • Caterpillar
        • Cotton Aphid
        • Plant Bugs
        • Spider Mites
        • Stink Bugs
        • Thrips
        • Whitefly
          • Management of White Fly Resistance to Key Insecticides in Arizona
          • Technical Advisory Committee of the Whitefly Q Biotype Task Force
      • Herbicide Stewardship
        • Herbicide-resistant Weeds Training Lessons
          • Current Status of Herbicide Resistance in Weeds
          • How Herbicides Work
          • Principles of Managing Herbicide Resistance
          • Scouting After a Herbicide Application and Confirming Herbicide Resistance
          • What Is Herbicide Resistance?
        • Take Action Against Herbicide-Resistant Weeds
      • Nematology
        • 2003 Breeding Cotton Nematode Resistance Meeting Presentations
        • 2005 Breeding Cotton for Resistance to Nematodes Meeting Presentations
        • 2007 Genetics of Root Knot Nematode Resistance in Cotton Meeting Presentations
        • 2012 Breeding Cotton for Resistance to Fusarium and Nematodes Meeting Presentations
      • Plant Pathology
        • Research Coordination Meeting on Target Spot Presentations
        • Review of the Bacterial Blight Research Program
      • Variety Improvement
        • Breeder Fiber Sample Information
          • Fiber Sample Packaging and Labeling
          • Packing Enclosure Form
          • Why Bad Samples are Bad
        • Cotton Breeders’ Tour Archives
        • Sample Project Summaries
        • State Variety Trial Data
      • Weed Management
        • Managing Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth
          • Introduction and Overview
          • List of Attendees
          • Palmer Roundtable Summary
          • Research Presentations
            • Colorado Molecular and Basic Research
            • Segregation and what it means in Palmer amaranth
          • Research Programs from Industry
            • Bayer CropScience
            • Monsanto
            • Syngenta
          • Update from States
            • Arkansas
            • Georgia
            • Louisiana
            • Mississippi
            • North Carolina
            • South Carolina
            • Summary Discussion
            • Tennessee
      • Meetings, Tours, and Presentations
        • 2019 Cotton Breeder’s Tour
        • Cotton Breeders’ Tours Presentations
        • Conservation Tillage Conferences
          • 2007 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2008 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2009 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2010 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2011 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2012 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2013 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2014 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2015 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
        • Cotton Biotechnology Workshops
        • Crop Management Seminar Presentations
          • 2006 Presentations
          • 2008 Presentations
          • 2010 Presentations
          • 2012 Presentations
          • 2014 Presentations
        • International Cotton Genome Initiative (ICGI) Research Conference Presentations
      • Ag Research Staff Directory
      • Cotton Incorporated Fellows
        • Cotton Incorporated Fellowships (CIF)
      • State Support Program
        • State Support Program Bylaws
          • Alabama State Support Committee Bylaws
          • California State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Florida State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Georgia State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Louisiana State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Mississippi State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Missouri State Support Committee Bylaws
          • North Carolina State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Oklahoma State Support Committee Bylaws
          • South Carolina State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Tennessee State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Virginia State Cotton Support Committee Bylaws
        • State Support Program Guidelines
        • State Support Program Projects
    • Cotton Quality
      • Classification of Cotton
        • Acknowledgements
        • Classification of American Pima Cotton
        • Classification of Upland Cotton
        • Dissemination of Data
        • Maintaining Official Standards for Classification
        • Overview
        • Quality and Reliability of Classification Data
      • 2019/2020 U.S. Cotton Fiber Chart
        • Bale Sizes
        • Grades of U.S. Cotton
        • HVI® Color Chart
        • Properties of the Growing Regions
        • Ratings of Fiber Properties
      • Cotton Crop Quality
        • Weekly Cotton Crop Quality Report
        • Most Planted Cotton Varieties for 2019
        • Final Cotton Crop Quality Summary Reports
        • Cotton Properties Legend
        • Cotton Crop Quality Summary
      • Product Evaluation Lab
        • Independent Testing Laboratories
      • Cotton Standards Websites
      • EFS® System Software
        • MILLNet™ Software
        • USCROP™ Software
        • Cotton Communicator™ Software
      • EFS® System Technical Service
      • EFS® System Licensees
      • EFS® Licensee Yarn Benefits
      • EFS® Fiber/Yarn Sourcing Directory
  • Quality Products
    • Performance Technologies
      • NATURAL STRETCH Technology
        • NATURAL STRETCH Technology
        • NATURAL STRETCH Licensed Suppliers
      • PUREPRESS™ Technology
      • STORM COTTON™ Technology
        • STORM COTTON™ Technology
        • STORM COTTON™ Licensed Suppliers
      • TOUGH COTTON™ Technology
        • TOUGH COTTON™ Technology
        • TOUGH COTTON™ Licensed Suppliers
      • TransDRY® Technology
        • TransDRY® Technology
        • TransDRY® Licensed Suppliers
      • WICKING WINDOWS™ Technology
        • WICKING WINDOWS™ Technology
        • WICKING WINDOWS™ Supplier List
      • Technology Suppliers
    • Nonwovens
      • Why Cotton?
      • Marketing Resources
        • Aquatic Degradation
        • The Global Baby Care Market Present and Future Growth
        • Discover What Cotton Can DoTM
        • Incontinence Protection
        • Global Feminine Hygiene
        • Power of the Seal
        • Responsible Cotton Production
        • Trademark Licensing Program
      • Cotton Fiber Tech Guide
        • Agricultural Production
        • Cotton Morphology and Chemistry
        • Cotton Preparation
        • Cotton Properties
      • Nonwovens Sourcing
    • Textile Resources
      • Technical Bulletins
      • Standard Fabric Defect Glossary
      • Textile Encyclopedia
      • Fabric Defects Classification
      • Textile Glossary
      • Engineered Cotton Knits Guidelines
      • Cotton Fiber Development and Processing
    • Fabric Inspiration
      • FABRICAST™ Fabric Collections
        • 2018 Part 1
        • Cotton Compilation I
        • Cotton Compilation II
        • Creative Cotton I
        • Creative Cotton II
        • MMXVII Part 1
        • Cotton Innovations II
        • Cotton Innovations I
        • Natural Concepts II
        • Natural Concepts I
        • Cotton Inspiration II
        • Cotton Inspiration I
        • Natural Innovations
      • Performance Knitwear
      • Cotton Durability
    • Textile Sourcing
      • Cut and Sew
      • Dyers
      • Dye and Wash
      • Finishers
      • Knitters
      • Printers
      • Spinners
      • Weavers
      • Textile Associations and Resources
    • Textile Research
      • Dyeing Research
      • Fiber Processing
      • Finishing Research
      • Product Development
      • Product Integrity
      • Technical Services & Implementation
  • Consumer Marketing
    • Retail Partnerships
    • Classroom Teaching Kits
  • About
    • Corporate
      • Worldwide Offices
      • Board of Directors
      • Careers
        • Career Opportunities
        • Student Opportunities
          • Fashion Marketing Internship Program
      • Research Proposal Guidelines
    • History
      • Company Timeline
      • Cotton Hall of Fame
    • Sustainability
      • Sustainability Goals
      • Pioneers of Progress
        • Agriculture
        • Cottonseed
        • Manufacturing
        • Consumer
        • Sustainability Community
        • Citations
    • Pressroom
      • Press Releases
      • Biographies
        • J. Berrye Worsham
        • Mark Messura
        • Kimberley S. Kitchings
        • Jesse Daystar
        • Kater Hake
        • Mike Shen
        • Vikki Martin
        • Mary Ankeny
        • William Kimbrell
        • Ed Barnes
        • Jon Devine
        • Linda DeFranco
        • Janet O’Regan
        • Melissa Bastos
        • Jenna Caccavo
        • Rachel Crumbley
      • Video Archive
      • Did You Know?
    • Event Calendar
    • Seal of Cotton trademark
      • Seal of Cotton trademark
    • Our Websites
      • CottonWorks™
      • Cotton Today
      • Cotton Lifestyle Monitor™
      • Cotton Cultivated
      • The Fabric of Our Lives®
      • Blue Jeans Go Green™
      • Cotton Campus
      • Whole Cottonseed
      • Regional Breeders Testing Network (RBTN)
    • Social Media
    • Cotton Industry Websites
      • Cotton LEADS™
    • Contact Us
  • Market Data
    • Monthly Economic Letter
      • Cotton Price Definitions
    • Executive Cotton Update
    • Supply Chain Insights
      • Seal of Cotton Trademark
      • Things To Know About COVID-19 Third Wave
      • Garment Care & Labels
      • Home Textiles Globally
      • Home Textiles in the U.S.
      • Home Textiles in Mexico
      • Home Textiles in China
      • COVID-19 & Consumer Concerns in Mexico – Second Wave
      • COVID-19 & Consumer Concerns in China – Second Wave
      • Things To Know About COVID-19 Wave II
      • COVID-19 & Consumer Concerns in China
      • COVID-19 & Consumer Concerns in Mexico
      • COVID-19 & Consumer Concerns in Italy
      • Consumer Response to COVID-19
      • Baby Care
      • Childrenswear
      • Back to School
      • Intimates
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor : India
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor : Turkey
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: Germany
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: Italy
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: United Kingdom
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: China
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: Thailand
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: Colombia
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: Mexico
      • Global Lifestyle Monitor: Japan
      • Sustainability Concerned Consumers
      • Sustainable Clothing
      • When Does Sustainability Matter
      • Back To School Apparel
      • Fueling Consumption in Mexico’s Activewear Market
      • Home Textiles: Bath Towels
      • Home Textiles: Sheets & Bedding
      • The Now of Retail : Millennials
      • Securing the Hispanic Consumer
      • Childrenswear & Back To School Apparel
      • China’s Baby Care & Feminine Hygiene Market
      • Prospects for Tomorrow’s Underwear Market
      • Easing Apparel Sourcing Cost Pressures
    • Supply Chain Video Insights
    • Cotton Market Podcasts
      • Chinese Cotton Policy Podcasts
      • Pass-Through Series Podcasts
      • Educational Series Preview
      • Educational Series Podcasts
  • Cotton Production
    • Ag Resources
      • Cotton Crop Market News
        • Cotton Market Weekly
        • Cotton Marketing Planner Newsletter
        • Cottonseed Market Prices
      • Cotton Farming Decision Aids
        • 2020 Crop Loan Calculator
        • 2019 Crop Loan Calculator
        • 2018 Upland Cotton Loan Calculator
        • 2018 ELS Cotton Loan Calculator
        • 2017 Upland Cotton Loan Calculator
        • 2017 ELS Cotton Loan Calculator
        • 2014 Farm Bill – Farm Program and Insurance Decision Aid
        • The Agricultural & Food Policy Center
        • Cotton Basis Tools
        • Cotton Harvest Cost Comparison Program/Decision Aid
        • Cotton Irrigation Decision Aid
        • Cotton Module Transport Calculator
        • Cotton Precision Agriculture Investment Decision Aid
        • Cropland Rental Tool (CROPRENT)
        • Precision Agriculture Yield Variability Analyzer
        • South Plains Profitability
      • Spotlight on Cotton Growers
        • Soil Variability Lessons Learned
        • Alternative and Low-Cost Sources of Lime and Fertilizer
        • Year-Round Expert Advice to Cotton Growers
        • No-Till, Double-Cropping System Yields Costs Savings
        • Precision Input Cost Reduction
        • Using Gray Water in Cotton Production
        • Manage Heat with Innovation for Cotton Production
        • Innovative Water Sharing System
        • Satellite Imagery Technology to Manage Variable Soil
      • Websites & Online Resources
        • COTMAN™ Crop Management System
        • Seed Matrix
        • Cotton LEADS™
        • Focus on Cotton
      • Cotton Harvest Systems
        • The Spindle-Type Cotton Harvester
          • Introduction
          • Maximizing Harvester Capacity & Productivity
          • Seed Cotton Handling Systems
          • Basic Safety Precautions
          • Preseason Procedures
          • In-Season Procedures
          • Appendix: Harvest Loss Calculations
          • Suggested Reading on Cotton Pickers
        • Stripper Harvesting
          • Background of Cotton Harvesting
          • Preharvest Preparation
          • Stripper Harvester Preparation
          • In-Season Procedures
          • Fiber Quality
          • Safety Is Your Responsibility!
          • References
        • Seed Cotton Handling Storage
          • A Brief History of Cotton Modules
          • Module Types
          • What Is at Risk When Seed Cotton Is Stored
          • Forming Covering Conventional Modules
          • Case IH Half-Length Modules
          • John Deere Round Modules
          • Proper Cutting of Plastic Wrap on Round Modules
          • Module Covers
          • Safety
          • References
        • Cotton Harvest System Videos
        • Cotton Module Traceability
      • Irrigation Management
        • Why Irrigate Cotton?
        • Why Schedule Irrigation?
        • Initiating and Terminating Irrigation for the Season
        • Cotton Water Requirements
        • Water-Sensitivity of Cotton Growth Stages
        • Sensor-Based Scheduling
        • Irrigation Scheduling Tools
        • Management Considerations for Irrigated Cotton
        • Irrigation Systems Overview
        • References and Additional Resources
    • Ag Research
      • Agricultural Economics
        • Farm Finance
        • Cotton Futures and Options
        • Crop Insurance
      • Agronomy
        • SeedMatrix.com
        • Rolling High Rye for Conservation of Tillage Cotton Success
        • Nitrogen Requirements of Contemporary Cotton Cultivars
        • Cotton Variety Performance & Selection
        • Bronze Wilt Cotton
        • Managing Nitrogen Fertilization In Cotton
        • Sticky Cotton Sources Solutions – A Cooperative Extension
        • Utility of Plant Growth Regulation in Cotton Production
      • Cottonseed
        • Cottonseed Market Prices
          • Cottonseed Market Prices Archives
        • wholecottonseed.com
        • Whole Cottonseed a Super Feed for Dairy Cows
        • Cottonseed Press Releases
        • Cottonseed Storage
        • Cottonseed Goes With the Flow
        • EasiFlo™ Cottonseed Research
      • Engineering
        • Ginning Research
        • Precision Crop Management for Cotton
          • Precision Cotton Technology Providers
          • Other Precision Agriculture for Cotton Websites
          • Cotton Yield Maps: Tools for increasing efficiency & profitability
          • Cotton Yield Monitors – The Entrance Exam & Final Exam
          • Sensor-Based Application of Cotton Inputs – Approaches for plant growth regulators, harvest aids, and nitrogen
        • Ultra Narrow Row Cotton Harvest to Textiles
          • UNRC Research and Production Experiences
          • Ginning Stripper Harvested Cotton
          • Marketing Stripper Harvested
          • Fiber and Textile Quality
          • Finger Stripper Harvesting Technology
        • ENSO and Cotton Yield Variability
      • Entomology
        • Cotton Aphid
        • Caterpillar
        • Plant Bugs
        • Spider Mites
        • Stink Bugs
        • Thrips
        • Whitefly
          • Management of White Fly Resistance to Key Insecticides in Arizona
          • Technical Advisory Committee of the Whitefly Q Biotype Task Force
          • Sticky Cotton Sources and Solutions – The University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension
          • Whitefly Management in Arizona Cotton 2006 – The University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension
      • Herbicide Stewardship
        • Herbicide-resistant Weeds Training Lessons
          • Current Status of Herbicide Resistance in Weeds
          • How Herbicides Work
          • What Is Herbicide Resistance?
          • Scouting After a Herbicide Application and Confirming Herbicide Resistance
          • Principles of Managing Herbicide Resistance
        • Take Action Against Herbicide-Resistant Weeds
        • Weed Resistance in Herbicide-Resistant Cultivars R.L. Nichols
        • Preparing for the Auxin Technologies R.L. Nichols
        • Auxin Technologies Meeting Report R.L. Nichols
        • The Stewardship of Herbicides R.L. Nichols
      • Nematology
        • 2012 Breeding Cotton for Resistance to Fusarium and Nematodes Meeting Presentations
        • 2007 Genetics of Root Knot Nematode Resistance in Cotton Meeting Presentations
        • 2005 Breeding Cotton for Resistance to Nematodes Meeting Presentations
        • 2003 Breeding Cotton Nematode Resistance Meeting Presentations
        • Accomplishments of a 10-Year Initiative to Develop Host Plant Resistance to Root-Knot and Reniform Nematodes in Cotton 2003 – 2013
        • Managing Nematodes in Cotton-Based Cropping Systems (December 2012)
        • 2009 Status of Site-Specific Nematicide Treatment
        • 2005 Breeding Cotton for Resistance to Nematodes Meeting Report – June 9, 2005 Meeting in Memphis, Tennessee
        • 2003 Breeding Cotton for Resistance to Nematodes (Meeting Report)
        • 2006 Non-Transgenic Host Plant Resistance to Root-Knot and Reniform Nematodes in Cotton – R. L. Nichols, Cotton Incorporated
        • 2007 Report of the Research Coordination Meeting Genetics of Root-Knot Nematode Resistance in Cotton
      • Plant Pathology
        • Cotton Leafroll Dwarf Virus Research Review
        • Identification and Management of Fusarium Wilt Race 4
        • Exotic Polerovirus Infecting Cotton in the Southeast U. S.
        • Research Coordination Meeting on Target Spot Presentations
        • Review of the Bacterial Blight Research Program
        • Identification and Management of Bacterial Blight of Cotton
        • Diagnosis and Management of Foliar Diseases in the United States
        • Site-Specific Management of Cotton Root Rot Using Airborne and Satellite Imagery and Variable Rate Technology
        • Cotton Root Rot(Phymatotrichopsis Root Rot) and it’s Management
      • Variety Improvement
        • 2019 Cotton Breeder’s Tour
        • Cotton Breeders’ Tours Presentations
        • State Variety Trial Data
        • Breeder Fiber Sample Information
          • Fiber Sample Packaging and Labeling
          • Packing Enclosure Form
          • Why Bad Samples are Bad
        • Cotton Breeders’ Tour Archives
        • Sample Project Summaries
      • Weed Management
        • Managing Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth
          • Introduction and Overview
          • Update from States
            • Arkansas
            • Georgia
            • Louisiana
            • Mississippi
            • North Carolina
            • South Carolina
            • Tennessee
            • Summary Discussion
          • Research Presentations
            • Segregation and what it means in Palmer amaranth
            • Plant Population Genetics
            • Colorado Molecular and Basic Research
          • Research Programs from Industry
            • Syngenta
            • Bayer CropScience
            • Monsanto
          • Palmer Roundtable Summary
          • List of Attendees
        • 2016 Biology and Management of Herbicide-Resistant Palmer Amaranth in Cotton in the United States
        • 2011 Pigweed Resistance: How Much? To What? And Where?
        • 2010 Impacts of Herbicide Resistant Weeds – Southern States
        • 2010 Meeting the Challenge of Glyphosate-Resistant Palmer Amaranth in Conservation Tillage
        • 2009 Glyphosate Weed Resistance Update
        • 2009 Control Failures with Ryegrass
        • 2008 Glyphosate-Resistant Populations of Amaranthus palmeri in the United States
        • 2006 Managing Herbicide Resistance in Cotton Cropping Systems
      • Meetings, Tours, and Presentations
        • International Cotton Genome Initiative (ICGI) Research Conference Presentations
        • Conservation Tillage Conferences
          • 2015 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2014 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2013 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2012 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2011 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2010 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2009 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2008 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
          • 2007 Conservation Tillage Conference Proceedings
        • Cotton Biotechnology Workshops
        • Crop Management Seminar Presentations
          • 2014 Crop Management Seminar Presentations
          • 2012 Crop Management Seminar Presentations
          • 2006 Crop Management Seminar Presentations
          • 2010 Crop Management Seminar Presentations
          • 2008 Crop Management Seminar Presentations
      • Ag Research Staff Directory
      • Cotton Incorporated Fellows
        • Cotton Incorporated Fellowships (CIF)
      • State Support Program
        • State Support Program Bylaws
          • Alabama State Support Committee Bylaws
          • California State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Florida State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Georgia State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Louisiana State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Mississippi State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Missouri State Support Committee Bylaws
          • North Carolina State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Oklahoma State Support Committee Bylaws
          • South Carolina State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Tennessee State Support Committee Bylaws
          • Virginia State Cotton Support Committee Bylaws
        • State Support Program Guidelines
        • State Support Program Projects
    • Cotton Quality
      • Classification of Cotton
        • Overview
        • Maintaining Official Standards for Classification
        • Classification of Upland Cotton
        • Classification of American Pima Cotton
        • Quality and Reliability of Classification Data
        • Dissemination of Data
        • Acknowledgements
      • 2019/2020 U.S. Cotton Fiber Chart
        • Properties of the Growing Regions
        • Grades of U.S. Cotton
        • Ratings of Fiber Properties
        • Bale Sizes
        • HVI® Color Chart
      • Cotton Crop Quality
        • Weekly Cotton Crop Quality Report
        • Most Planted Cotton Varieties for 2019
        • Final Cotton Crop Quality Summary Reports
        • Cotton Properties Legend
        • Cotton Crop Quality Summary
      • Product Evaluation Lab
        • Independent Testing Laboratories
      • Cotton Standards Websites
      • EFS® Software
        • MILLNet™ Software
          • MILLNet™ Software Video
        • USCROP™ Software
        • Cotton Communicator™ Software
      • EFS® System Technical Service
      • EFS® Licensee Yarn Benefits
      • EFS® System Licensees
      • EFS® Fiber/Yarn Sourcing Directory
  • Quality Products
    • Textile Research
      • Dyeing Research
      • Fiber Processing
      • Finishing Research
      • Product Development
      • Technical Services & Implementation
      • Product Integrity
    • Nonwovens
      • Why Cotton?
      • Marketing Resources
        • Aquatic Degradation
        • The Global Baby Care Market Present and Future Growth
        • Trademark Licensing Program
        • Power of the Seal
        • Incontinence Protection
        • Global Feminine Hygiene
        • Responsible Cotton Production
        • Discover What Cotton Can DoTM
      • Cotton Fiber Tech Guide
        • Agricultural Production
        • Cotton Properties
        • Cotton Preparation
        • Cotton Morphology and Chemistry
      • Nonwovens Sourcing
    • Performance Technologies
      • NATURAL STRETCH Technology
        • NATURAL STRETCH Technology
        • NATURAL STRETCH Licensed Suppliers
      • PUREPRESS™ Technology
        • PUREPRESS™ Technology
        • PUREPRESS™ Licensed Suppliers
      • STORM COTTON™ Technology
        • STORM COTTON™ Technology
        • STORM COTTON™ Licensed Suppliers
      • TOUGH COTTON™ Technology
        • TOUGH COTTON™ Technology
        • TOUGH COTTON™ Licensed Suppliers
      • TransDRY® Technology
        • TransDRY® Technology
        • TransDRY® Licensed Suppliers
      • WICKING WINDOWS™ Technology
        • WICKING WINDOWS™ Technology
        • WICKING WINDOWS™ Licensed Suppliers
      • Technology Suppliers
    • Fabric Inspiration
      • FABRICAST™ Fabric Collections
        • FABRICAST™ 2020 Collection
        • FABRICAST™ 2019
        • 2018 Part 2
        • 2018 Part 1
        • MMXVII Part 2
        • MMXVII Part 1
        • Creative Cotton II
        • Creative Cotton I
        • Cotton Compilation II
        • Cotton Compilation I
        • Cotton Innovations II
        • Cotton Innovations I
        • Natural Concepts II
        • Natural Concepts I
        • Cotton Inspiration II
        • Cotton Inspiration I
        • Natural Innovations
      • Performance Knitwear
      • Cotton Durability
    • Textile Resources
      • Technical Bulletins
      • Standard Fabric Defect Glossary
      • Textile Encyclopedia
      • Textile Glossary
      • Fabric Defects Classification
      • Engineered Cotton Knits Guidelines
      • Cotton Fiber Development and Processing
    • Textile Sourcing
      • Cut and Sew
      • Dyers
      • Dye and Wash
      • Finishers
      • Knitters
      • Printers
      • Spinners
      • Weavers
      • Textile Associations and Resources
  • Consumer Marketing
    • Retail Partnerships
      • Retail Partnerships Contact Form
    • Cotton Science & Sustainability Lesson Plans

Irrigation Scheduling Tools

You are here: Home / Cotton Production / Ag Resources / Irrigation Management / Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Cotton Production › Ag Resources › Irrigation Management › Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Key Points:

  • Many states have free scheduling tools.
  • Often these tools are linked to live weather data.

There are many freely available irrigation scheduling tools that predict when to irrigate based on weather and crop conditions.

The weather data is used to calculate an amount of water that would be evaporated by a reference crop such as grass, and then a crop coefficient is used to scale that reference value to a specific crop. Crop coefficients for western conditions have been obtained from lysimeters in Arizona and Texas. Current studies are using lysimeter studies in Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina to determine cotton crop coefficients for more humid conditions. Most of these programs are based on the water balance method described in the next section.

Water Balance Method

Scheduling irrigation using a water balance, or checkbook method, is based on the available water in the soil. Like a checkbook, inputs are credited to the total soil water, and withdrawals are debited from the soil water. The net daily water balance is then:

Soil Water (today) = Soil Water (yesterday) – withdrawals + inputs

The inputs to the soil water are rainfall and irrigation. Withdrawals include transpiration through the plant, evaporation from the soil surface, and deep percolation into lower soil layers. During the growing season, evaporation and transpiration, commonly termed “evapotranspiration” and abbreviated “ET,” are the most important processes by which water is removed from the soil (Figure 7.1). Deep percolation accounts for only very minor withdrawals during the growing season, and so is assumed to be negligible.

irrigate schedule tools 1 - Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Figure 7.1 – Loss of water from a crop field during the growing season results primarily from evaporation from the soil surface, and transpiration through the plant leaves. These processes are termed “evapotranspiration” and commonly abbreviated “ET”.

Soil Water Content

The water balance equation requires knowledge of the available water in the soil. Determination of subsequent soil water level is dependent on the initial soil water content. Soil water is dependent on the texture of the soil. Sandy soil has larger particles and pores that hold the water less tightly, reducing the soil available to plants. Conversely, clay soils have many, very small pores. The clay particles bind the soil water more tightly. While clay soils hold more water than sandy soils, less of the water is available to the plant because of the tight binding. Loamy soils have good pore space to hold moisture and do not bind the soil water tightly enough to prevent plants from extracting the water. These soils have more water available to the plant (Figure 7.2).

The extent of soil drying is also dependent on soil texture. After a soaking rain, soil is saturated, meaning that all the pores between soil particles are filled with water. The saturated soil dries because water percolates to lower depths and evaporates from the soil surface. Two to three days after saturation, soil is said to be at “field capacity.” At this water content, the soil pores have a mix of air and water. The soil will continue to dry until it reaches a point termed the “permanent wilting capacity.” At this level, the water remaining in the soil is no longer available to the plant, and the plants will wilt.

irrigate schedule tools 2 - Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Figure 7.2 – The water in the soil that is available to the plant changes with soil texture. Sandy soils and clay soils have less plant-available water than do loamy soils.

Maintaining Soil Water

Irrigation scheduling is a method of maintaining soil water available to the plants in the range between field capacity and permanent wilting point. In the water balance approach, the initial soil moisture is estimated based on soil texture. The water in the soil is then tracked using the daily changes in water use and water inputs.

The inputs to the crop system can be accurately measured. Rainfall is measured using individual rain gauges in the field, or tipping bucket rain gauges on a weather station. Irrigation can be measured directly or estimated from the total amount of water applied over a given area. The outputs from the system are more difficult to measure exactly and are usually estimated.

Estimating Crop Water Use

Crop water use can be estimated in several ways. A standard method that has been developed estimates a reference evapotranspiration from weather parameters (Allen, et al., 1998). The reference ET is then converted to the crop ET using crop-specific coefficients. Alternatively, methods have been developed that estimate ET from curves developed from years of field measurements. These empirical methods can be quite accurate, but are specific for the location from which the data was collected.

The Mississippi Irrigation Scheduling Tool – MIST

irrigate schedule tools 3 - Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Figure 7.3 – Screen capture of the Mississippi Irrigation Scheduling Tool, MIST. MIST uses water balance to estimate when irrigation is required. The need for irrigation is indicated when soil moisture falls below a level set by the user based on their soil and irrigation system. Crop water use is calculated using the Modified Penman-Monteith equation and crop coefficients developed for Mid-South growing conditions.

The Mississippi Irrigation Scheduling Tool relies on the most current scientific knowledge of crop water use to assist producers in making irrigation decisions. The system is designed to be easy to use and access. Rather than requiring the user to take readings in the field and input data, MIST automatically collects information from national and regional databases and continuously calculates crop water use. Information on soil hydrology and texture are downloaded from the Natural Resource and Conservation System, based on the spatial location of the fields. Field information can be input by the user, or downloaded automatically from information collected by FSA. Weather information is updated automatically from weather stations located throughout the state and maintained by the Delta Research and Extension Weather Center. Spatially accurate rainfall information is automatically downloaded from the National Weather Center gridded rainfall data, or can be input by the user if they so choose. To handle differences in field runoff, MIST uses the NRCS runoff equations. This gives a more accurate indication of within-field soil moisture following a rain event. No soil or plant measurements are required to run the scheduler. Automatically downloading information from these databases allows growers to use MIST, without requiring extensive data collection or input to the model.

With MIST, there are no programs to install or maintain. The program is accessed through the internet, and is available on several platforms, including smart phones, tablet computers, laptops, and desktop computers. This allows the user to determine crop water needs from any location, and instantly tell when a crop needs water. Using a daily time-step for calculations and weather updates allows a more accurate determination of soil available water. Use of a daily time step also allows calculations to determine future crop water needs over the next several days, allowing growers to better manage their water resources.

The user selects a minimum water deficit, based on their irrigation system capacity. MIST indicates when an irrigation is needed based on the soil type, weather conditions, and capacity of the irrigation system. A final output of water used is available at the end of the season, and can be used for reporting to NRCS and water management districts to document water conservation.

The MOIST Program (University of Tennessee)

Most water-balance, irrigation-scheduling programs function in a similar manner, but the means of data input and the representation of the output can be very different. The Management Of Irrigation Systems in Tennessee (MOIST) program from the University of Tennessee requires weekly input of rainfall and irrigation instead of daily data. This is easier for producers to maintain and thus keep track of the needed rainfall and irrigation amounts. The approach works fine for the more drought-tolerant row crops that are grown in the good water-holding soils of West Tennessee; however, weekly input may not be adequate for water-sensitive crops grown in low water-holding soils like sands.

irrigate schedule tools 4 - Irrigation Scheduling Tools

Figure 7.4 – Output from the MOIST program.

MOIST also provides a graphical output in addition to a table format as shown at the bottom of Figure 7.4. The red diamonds represent weekly crop water use in inches and the pattern of increasing water use as the crop canopy expands and temperature/solar radiation increases is easily identified. During the dry period shown in mid July, cotton water use was calculated at 1.7 inches per week. The solid blue dots represent weekly rainfall and, up until the beginning of July, rainfall exceeded or nearly equaled crop water use, resulting in very little soil water depletion shown by the dashed black line. During this time, rainfall maintained soil water with only a 1.5 inch depletion of water below field capacity for this soil.

The soil represented here is a deep silt loam that can store 4.3 inches of readily available water as shown by the solid brown line labeled allowable depletion. It is not until mid – and late-July that irrigation is required due to the lack of rain and the high cotton water use rates. Two inches of irrigation were applied at this time to maintain the soil water depletion at 1.5 inches. Irrigation plus rainfall is represented by the open blue squares. For center pivot irrigation in good water-holding soils, 1.5 inches of soil water depletion is a good target because center pivots are designed to keep up with crop water use and not to catch up or replenish the soil profile. Drip and furrow irrigation systems could allow depletion closer to the maximum allowable depletion because they may be designed to apply more water in a single irrigation event. At the present depletion of 1.5 inches, there is still enough soil storage capacity to capture a sizeable rainfall event and enough buffer to sustain the crop if the center pivot is not able to apply water for an extended period. The pink stars represent the predicted soil water depletion if no irrigation or rainfall occurs in the next one week and two weeks, respectively.

MOIST also provides a forecast type of output (upper portion of Figure 7.4) so that center pivot irrigators can have a plan of action once they update data into the program. In this example, the producer plans to apply 0.5 inches per revolution. If he wants to maintain his soil water depletion at around 1.5 inches, he would make 3 revolutions in the upcoming week if no rainfall occurs and 2 revolutions if 0.5 inches of rainfall occurred according to the columns on the left side of the page. If he wants to increase the amount of soil water in the profile by 0.5 inches, he would have to operate continuously for the whole week if there was no rainfall and make 3 revolutions if 0.5 inches of rain occurred according to the column on the right side of the page. The amount of gain or loss in soil water can be adjusted according to the producer’s management goals, but this forecast also shows that it is difficult to increase soil water with a center pivot system during the middle of a growing season. This forecast type of output allows a producer to schedule irrigation without having to go back to the MOIST program every time a rainfall or irrigation event occurs.

Water balance programs are great irrigation scheduling tools because they predict water use on a whole field basis and are not particular to one small location in a field when a crop is adequately watered. A producer should always feel confident that they know how much water is needed to replace the water being used by their crop when using a water balance approach. However, there are some limitations that one should be aware of. For instance, most water balance programs assume that excess water in a soil quickly drains to field capacity and this is not true of all soils. Also there can be run-off from intense rainfall events and if the entire rainfall amount is entered into the program, a water balance approach will not automatically recognize that the entire rainfall amount did not enter the soil profile.

Combining Soil Moisture Monitoring with Water Balancing

Combining soil moisture monitoring with a water balance approach can avoid these pitfalls. For instance, early in the growing season when scheduling irrigation on a poorly drained soil, a water balance approach may indicate a need for irrigation while a soil water sensor may show plenty of available water. Conversely, after an intense rainfall event, a water balance may indicate that no irrigation is required because it does not automatically recognize how much of the rainfall ran off, while a soil water sensor may indicate drier than expected conditions leading to earlier irrigation after a rainfall event. It may appear that soil water sensors alone are the answer to these limitations, but one must remember that sensors only measure in a very small location in a field and may not always represent the field as a whole. Therefore, we recommend a combination approach of a water balance and soil sensors.

Primary Sidebar

Downloads

  • Irrigation Management for Humid Regions
Continue To: Management Considerations for Irrigated Cotton
  • Share this page:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
  • About Us
  • Market Data
  • Cotton Production
  • Quality Products
  • Consumer Marketing

Contact | Careers | Sitemap | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy

America’s Cotton Producers and Importers.
Service Marks / Trademarks of Cotton Incorporated.

© 2021 Cotton Incorporated

Update Your Email Profile or Unsubscribe from Cotton Incorporated mailing lists:

To update your email address, make changes to the emails you receive, or unsubscribe, please enter your current Email Address and SUBMIT.

Email Address *
 
Email Address *
Email Address (Verify) *
 
First Name
Last Name
 
Company
Country *
 
 
By providing the information above and checking the box below, you consent to, and agree, that we, Cotton Incorporated, may send you communications regarding the services about which you are inquiring. We will only use the personal information you provide in accordance with our Privacy Policy. By checking the box below, you acknowledge and agree that you have read, understand, and agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. You may withdraw the consent you give herein at any time by contacting us using any of the options described in our Privacy Policy.

If you are not residing in the United States at the time you submit this information, you understand and agree that your information will be transferred to the United States, a country which may have different data protection and privacy laws and regulations than your country of citizenship or residence and may not offer as much data and privacy protection as your country of citizenship or residence. If you are located in the European Economic Area at the time you submit this information, you understand and agree that there are risks associated with the transfer of your information to the United States as the European Commission has not made a determination that the United States provides an adequate level of protection for cross-border data transfers. By checking this box, you agree to the foregoing and, where applicable, give your consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.
 
By checking this box, you agree to the above terms and to receive e-mail messages from Cotton Incorporated.
 

 

SIGN UP FOR E-MAIL



Update Email Profile

Connect with Us