Double Cropping Cotton and Wheat1

Abstract Several “fast fruiting” or “early” genotypes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), have been developed over the past several years to reduce losses associated with adverse autumn weather, allow later planting to escape early season disease problems, reduce insect and weed pests associated problems, and to reduce the inputs required to make and protect an acceptable yield. These earlier maturing types may provide the opportunity of year‐round land use by double cropping with a winter grain. Four genotypes, ‘Deltapine 16’, ‘Rex 713’, ‘Coker 304’, and Arkugo 4, were included to represent a range of genetic maturity. These entries were compared when monocropped or double cropped after wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in a prepared seedbed or planted directly into the wheat stubble. The experimental design was a split plot of a randomized complete block. The test site was Memphis silt loam (a fine‐silty, mixed, thermic Typic Haplustalfs). All other production practices were normal for the locale with no irrigation. Results indicated that seedcotton yields of double cropped cotton, as compared to monocropped, would be reduced by 35 to 50% with an early maturing genotype and 50 to 65% with full season, Delta cultivars. These results would discourage double cropping with wheat in the northern areas of the U.S. cotton belt. However, lint yields of double cropped Arkugo 4, the fastest fruiting type studied, were such that further development of early season types should be encouraged. No detrimental effects of double cropping on quality of fiber or percent lint were noted in 1976 or 1978.