How to Boost Cotton Lint Yields with KTS

Recent research studies conducted in collaboration with Texas A&M University have shown positive results to using KTS® in-season to meet potassium (K) needs of cotton. Application methods evaluated include side-dress coulter applications, side-dress applications through sub-surface drip irrigation and foliar applications.

When using KTS in a subsurface drip irrigation system, greater yield benefits were found by split applying KTS in-season around first pin head square (PHS) rather than making one single application at PHS (Figure 1). Additionally, when a foliar KTS application was included as part of the nutrient program, yields were further improved. Including a 2 GPA foliar KTS treatment at early bloom further increased yields by 2.6%. For clarity, the fertigation treatments that included a foliar application still received the same amount of KTS in season as the fertigation only treatments, part of it was just reserved for a foliar application.

When evaluating KTS side-dress applications that were applied in the row centers via coulter injection, similar yield responses were observed. Applying 10 GPA of KTS at PHS increased lint yield by 8.1% compared to the check treatment. When 8 GPA of KTS was applied side-dress at PHS and 2 GPA of KTS was applied at early bloom as a foliar treatment, yield was improved 9.2% (Figure 2). It is important to note that the soil test K value in the top six inches of this trial area was above 400 ppm and response to potassium fertilizer was still seen. These findings demonstrate how important it is to have potassium available at critical plant growth stages to maximize cotton lint yield. Using liquid KTS as part of a well-balanced fertility program can help meet those needs, even in soils with high K values where dry environmental conditions may limit K availability.