Comparative Advantages / Disadvantages of Rotation Crops With Cotton (in relation to the following cotton crop)

COTTON SUMMER OILSEEDS SUMMER COARSE GRAINS SUMMER GRAIN LEGUMES WINTER PULSES GREEN MANURES PERENNIAL LEGUME WINTER OILSEEDS WINTER CEREALS BARE Wheat/Barley/ Cotton Sunflowers Soybeans Maize Sorghum Mung Beans Pigeon Peas Chickpeas Faba Beans Dolichos Lablab Vetch Lucerne Canola Safflower Long Fallow Triticale/Oats • Good cash crop. • Stubble breaks down easily. • Has role in cotton IPM as trap • Stubble breaks down easily. • Rarely if ever used as rotation • Low input crop. • Easy to grow cash crop. • Slow breakdown, very slow cycle • Stubble breaks down quickly. • Good stubble cover. • Long planting window. • Has role in cotton IPM as trap • Stubble breaks down quickly. • Has a role in IPM. • Efficient N fixer. • Can make cotton management • Poor stubble cover. • Good short - term cash crop. crop. • Does not aggravate cotton insect crop with cotton. • Improves soil structure. • Sowing time more aligned with of organic carbon. • Good gross margins. • Need corn front to harvest. • Has a role in IPM. crop. • Good cash crop. • Reduces N fertiliser for cotton. • Improves soil structure. more timely and easier . • Specialised harvest equipment. • Short season 90 days requires • Good cash crop. pests. • Good cash crop. • Can aggravate insect pests, cotton harvest. • Highly VAM dependent. • N - fixing legume. • Can aggravate cotton insect pests. • Stubble can be a problem. • Stubble breaks down quickly. • Good N fixer. • Reduces Black Root Rot. • Harbours beneficial insects. • Weed control is critical. General Overview • Can aggravate cotton insect pests. intensive management. • Stubble breaks down quickly. • Good N fixation. • Improve soil structure. particularly mirids/mites. • Excellent cotton disease break General Overview • Cotton herbicides in failed cotton • Can aggravate weed • Potential plant — back problem • Potential plant — back problems • Difficult to establish in Southern • Can aggravate sowthistle • Increase in cotton yield. • Field out of production for many • Can reduce VAM levels. • Can aggravate weed • Can aggravate cotton insect pests • Foliar disease management • Destroy crop before flower/seed • Allelopathic effect on cotton • Can aggravate sowthistle - exception Fusarium. drastically reduce crop options. management. with atrazine. with atrazine. NSW. problems. • Avoid seed set. months. Long - term option. • Potential soil erosion. management. • Highly sensitive to waterlogging. critical. set. immediately following canola. problems. • Aggravates thrips/wireworms. • Plant from mid - February to late • Autumn and spring planting • Very wide planting windows can • Spring and summer planting • Plant in late autumn April. With adequate soil moisture • Spring and summer planting opportunities. • NSW planting windows start in • Planting windows extend from be achieved by growing a range of • Spring and summer planting • Spring and summer planting windows. – early winter, according to local • Spring planting window maximises earlier plantings produce more • Narrow spring planting window for • Early summer planting window for • Spring and summer planting windows. Suited to double • Short autumn planting windows, • Best crop growth will occur. mid - late April and close in mid - mid June to mid August. varieties. windows. Late plantings are windows. • Flowering occurs 60–80 days recommendations. vegetative growth. Use a longer biomass. Best results after wheat, Bollgard II® cotton. best results. windows. cropping situations. check local recommendations. between late spring and early late May, depending on region. • Day length and temperature • Adaptable row configurations to preferred for polyunsaturated • Days to flowering depend on after emergence. • Early planting may lead to season variety to maximise the but with timely operations can be • Following legumes increase • Seed is short lived. • In NSW under irrigation, medium • Fewer days to flowering with later • Late planting reduces the duration autumn. Varieties can be highly • Varietal frost / heat risk. determine time to flowering. Later allow inter - sowing of the next • Not applicable. Planting Overview hybrids. hybrid maturity but will be less • Harvest own seed, seed difficult excessive vegetative growth and days to flowering. grown between cotton crops. Planting Overview sowing rates by 10% to ensure • Germination and vigor are lost maturity hybrids usually perform plantings in warmer temperatures. of flowering (yield potential) and winter — active through to winter • Consider using rollers, planted crops mature faster. crop. • When selecting fields consider with later plantings in warmer to get. lodging. Late planting reduces • Well suited to double cropping • Low temperatures restrict winter adequate plant populations. after only a few months in storage. best. • Powdery mildew - check varietal the harvest height. dormant. cultipackers or press wheels to • Requires very good seed - soil • Follow variety specific bird risks. temperatures. • Use narrow row spacings to harvest height. after wheat. growth. resistance. • Strip planting maximises improve seed - soil contact. contact. recommendations to minimise maximise grain yield. • Suited to double crop situations. • Avoid deep planting as seedlings attractiveness to insects. frost risk and maximise yield. are weak. • Autumn, plant for crop • Does not influence the start of • Does not influence the start of the • 20oC and falling for early plant • 18oC and rising. Plant refuge • 14oC and rising for • 10–12oC and rising when heavy • Does not influence the start of the • 12oC and rising. Allow for a • 16–18oC for 3–4 days and the risk • Emergence occurs >10.5oC, but • Does not influence the start of the • Does not influence the start of the • 18oC on 3 consecutive days and • The optimum range is establishment before frosts. the planting window, but late planting window. (oats, grazing varieties). Does Planting Temperature crops within 2 weeks of planting • Not applicable. Planting Temperature 3 consecutive days. frosts have past. planting window. 3–4oC drop if watering up. of frost has past. 28–30oC is ideal for crop growth. planting window. planting window. rising. 23–15oC. • Spring plant when frost risk planting into cold soils can reduce • Frost tolerant until stem not influence the start of the main (planting depth at 8–9am) Bollgard II® cotton. (planting depth at 8–9am) passed into good soil moisture. emergence. elongation commences. season planting window. • Poor ground cover & residual • Slow breakdown, very slow cycle • Moderate ground cover for long organic matter. • Breaks down slowly for slow • When standing stubble, offers of organic carbon. • Stems may be ropey causing • Good ground cover for short fallows. • Can be slashed and incorporated • Herbicides and deep tillage • Easy to sow through. • Stalks require flattening or busting • Spray out and slash at the start of release of carbon. high ground cover, it will protect • Implications for disease problems at harvest and with land fallows. • Breaks down more quickly than • Poor stubble cover. • Poor stubble cover. • Poor stubble cover. • Poor stubble cover. (disced) when green or sprayed, required for crop removal. • Plant in narrow row spacing to to aid break down — beware podding (usually March/April). • Poor stubble cover and quick • Relatively easy to plant into. the soil surface and maximize the management — prevent regrowth. preparation for cotton. • Breaks down more easily than cereals but difficult to incorporate • Quick break down means stubble • Gappy plant stands can lead to • Quick break down means stubble • Quick break down means stubble root cut and left on the surface. • When stands >12 months old are ensure stubble is brittle. of compaction risks when • Stubble mulch in contact with the break down means stubble is not • Bale to handle heavy stubble. efficiency of rainfall harvesting. Stubble Management* • Insufficient breakdown in dry • Quick break down means stubble sorghum. for quicker breakdown. is not suitable for long fallow woody stems that can be difficult is not suitable for long fallow is not suitable for long fallow • Manure at least 4 weeks before removed, a long fallow or irrigation • Poor stubble cover and quick Stubble Management* undertaking these operations. soil breaks down quickly. suitable for long fallow situations. • May tie up N . • Where disease management is winters. is not suitable for long fallow • High in nutrients; 11 kg N, 14 kg • Late incorporation in conjunction situations. to incorporate. situations. situations. cotton planting. will be required to refill the profile break down means stubble is not • When left standing or as stumps critical, stubble mulch will increase situations. P, 166 kg K /tonne. with a dry winter is known to be • Minimal groundcover. suitable for long fallow situations. • Excessive trash at planting can • Cover can be lost in heavy damage to equipment such as the rate of stubble breakdown. allelopathic to emerging cotton. cause variable plant stands. storms. tyres can occur. • Very well suited to no - till • Highly desirable for most stubble • Need to cut below cotyledon node • Exacerbates cotton seedling • Narrow rows allow inter — • Twin rows or narrow rows allow • May exacerbate cotton diseases if • May exacerbates cotton diseases • Beware of allelopathy to cotton in • Exacerbates cotton diseases. • May exacerbate cotton diseases. • May exacerbate cotton diseases. • May exacerbate cotton diseases. • May exacerbate cotton diseases. • May exacerbate cotton diseases. • Well suited to no - till situations. situations. types, particularly early in the Standing Stubble to prevent regrowth. diseases. planting of cotton. inter - planting of cotton. double cropped. if double cropped. double crop situations . Standing Stubble • Refer Cotton CRC note 1 . fallow period. • Deep rooted. • Very deep and aggressive tap • Higher root density than grain • Shallow rooted. • Reduces soil strength. • Potential for erosion. • Very deep rooted, can make use •Shallow rooted. • Moderate rooting depth. root. legumes. • Deep rooted. • Leaves behind moisture lower in • Can increase soil organic matter. • Will dry soil profile. • No improvement in soil structure • Deep rooted. of nutrients at depth. • Improves soil structure. • Deep rooted. • Deep rooted. • Do not penetrate compacted • Has a ‘conditioning’ effect. • Moderate rooting depth. • Soil structure improved to depth. • May penetrate hard layers. • Will dry soil profile causing deep • Has a ‘conditioning’ effect. the profile for use by the following • Perform better than peas on hard • Improves soil structure. (no wetting and drying, no plant Soil Structure • Will dry and crack soil. • Has a ‘conditioning’ effect. • More friable topsoil. • Can increase soil organic matter. • Soil can be hard to till. layers. • Causes deep cracking. cracking. Soil Structure crop. setting soils. • More friable top soil. root activity). • Can bust compacted layers. • Surface tilth blocky and inferior to • Improves soil structure. • Reduce soil O.M. Poor root penetration into sodic soils wheat. • Beneficial effects for 3 - 5 years. • Yields decline when soil salinity • Yield declines when soil chloride • Yield declines when; soil chloride • Yields decline when soil salinity is • Considered to have similar • Barley yield declines when soil is 6–10 dS/m or water salinity is • Yields decline when soil salinity • Yields decline when soil salinity • Rapid yield decline when soil • Sensitive to sodicity is > 600 mg/kg or soil sodium is is > 600 mg/kg or soil sodium is • Sensitive to Sodicity • Yield declines when soil ECe >3.0 • Yield declines when soil ESP at • Yield declines when soil chloride Reactions to salinity >2.5 dS/m or water salinity is • Yields decline when soil ECe is tolerances to cotton. In the US, chloride is >800 mg/kg, bread Reactions to salinity >2.3 dS/m. exceeds 4–5 dS/m. exceeds 2.0 dS/m. salinity increases from 2–5 dS/m. (waterlogging). >500 mg/kg or soil ESP at the >500 mg/kg or soil ESP at the (waterlogging). dS/m. Yield declines at the rate of the surface is >3 or in the subsoil is >1200 mg/kg or soil ESP at the • May assist in leaching salts. >1.1 dS/m. >2dS/m. yields decline when soil ECe >9 wheat at >700 mg/kg and durum (ECe) and/or sodicity • Relatively high tolerance. • More tolerant than sorghum. • Relatively low tolerance. • Less tolerant than wheat. • Sensitive to salinity. surface is >1 or in the subsoil is surface is >5 or in the subsoil is • Moderately sensitive to salinity. 11% for each unit increase in ECe. is >6 or when soil ECe >2 dS/m. surface is >3 or in the subsoil is >6. (ECe) and/or sodicity • Relatively low tolerance. dS/m. wheat at >600 mg/kg. • Seedling sensitivity 2–3 dS/m. >5. >10 or soil ECe >1.6 dS/m. • IRMS assists chemical selection • Bollgard II® refuge crop option. • Supports strong populations of • Supports strong populations of and stewardship+. • Supports strong populations of • Supports strong populations of • Supports strong populations of • Supports strong populations of • Bollgard II® refuge crop option. • Bollgard II® refuge crop option. • Bollgard II® trap crop in the • Supports strong populations of generalist insect predators. general insect predators and aphid Insects • Aggravate Helicoverpa spp. generalist insect predators. generalist insect predators. • Supports strong populations of general insect predators. • Supports strong populations of Insects • Supports strong populations of generalist insect predators. • Supports strong populations of • Bollgard II® trap crop in Central Burdekin. generalist insect predators. • Supports strong populations of • Trap crop for mirids. parasitoids. • Stubble retention and no - till • High cost of insect control. • Host for Helicoverpa spp., • Host for mirids, Helicoverpa spp. generalist insect predators through • Host for cutworm, Helicoverpa general insect predators. general insect predators. • Host for H. armigera and spider generalist insect predators. Queensland. • Highly attractive to Helicoverpa • Host for cutworm, wireworm, generalist insect predators. • Late season trap crop for • Host for aphids and Helicoverpa help to retain populations of ants • Control volunteers to prevent mites, green vegetable bug and and green vegetable bug. winter and early spring. spp. (especially during budding/ • Host for wireworms and thrips. (Insecticide options are • Host for Helicoverpa spp., mirids, mites. Early crops can increase • Host for H. armigera. Late crops • Highly attractive to Helicoverpa spp. during flowering. cowpea aphid, mirids, green • Host for Helicoverpa spp. Helicoverpa spp. — larvae fail to spp.. Occasionally attacked by foraging weed seeds, spiders and (Insecticide options are carryover of pests from one whiteflies. • Insect damage is a key • Host for cowpea aphid and flowering), aphids, mirids and • Provides overwintering shelter for limited for crops other than whiteflies. risk of cutworms. Late crops can can increase risk of wireworms spp. during flowering. • Generally unattractive to vegetable bug, thrips and emerge from it. wireworms. other soil dwelling beneficials. limited for crops other than season to the next. • Extremely susceptible to attack contributor to grain quality Helicoverpa spp. mites. green vegetable bugs. cotton) increase risk of wireworms next next spring • Host for mites. beneficial spp. Helicoverpa spp. • Hay making controls mites, • Can aggravate: mites, mirids, cotton) • Pupae bust Bollgard II® as from whiteflies. downgrades. • Aggravate: thrips, rutherglen bug. spring. aphids and mirid nymphs. aphids, rutherglen bug. required in the RMP. • Roundup Ready Flex® and • Poor competitor with weeds. • Poor competitor with weeds. • Highly competitive once • When planted late, weeds are • Once established is very • Vigorous seedling growth Weeds/Herbicides • Combination of herbicides and • Combination of herbicides and • Vigorous seedling growth Liberty Link® cottons are • Select fields with low incidence of • Select fields with low broadleaf • A range of herbicides can be used Select fields with low weed burdens. established. controlled with manuring. competitive. provides excellent weed crop competition tends to reduce crop competition tends to reduce provides excellent weed • Narrow row spacings assist with • Planned long fallows may allow alternative options for weed summer broadleaf weeds. • Once established, the crop weed burdens as herbicide under Off Label Permits. • Higher WUE than lucerne. • Aids nutgrass control through competition. • Wide range of herbicide options Observe plant back periods for weed burdens. weed burdens. • Limited herbicide options for competition. • Timeliness of manuring prevents weed suppression (and maximize use of some residual herbicides. Weeds/Herbicides control. • Residual herbicide available at competes well with weeds. options are limited. www.apvma.gov.au. broadleaf weed control. Balance® • Select fields with low weed vetch volunteers becoming drying soil profile. • Conventional canola has limited for broadleaf and grass weed herbicides. • Opportunity to use alternative • Opportunity to use alternative • Select fields with low broadleaf yield potential). • Uncontrolled wheel traffic may •Specific management tactics may planting but limited options in crop. • Consider how to control • Low tolerance of Group B, Group • Use inter - row cultivation to is only for use post plant, pre crop burdens as herbicide options problematic. • Herbicides are available but options for broad leaf herbicides control. Modes of Action (not Group M or Modes of Action (not Group M or weed burdens as herbicide • Late broad leaf weeds can be a cause compaction. (Observe plant back periods for be required for cotton volunteers. • Consider how to control volunteers in fallow and C and Group I residues. assist weed control. emergence. Balance® may reduce are very limited — trifluralin and • In early plant situations, select products for broadleaf weeds can use. • Consider carefully when using Use integrated weed management Group A) for grass weed control. Group A) for grass weed control. options are limited. problem, particularly sowthistle. • Must control weeds particularly • Residual cotton herbicides in volunteers in fallow and subsequent cotton crops. • Mungbean seed lots containing • Slow seedling growth means poor N fixation in some situations. Spinnaker® (APVMA Permit no. fields with low broadleaf weed be expensive. • Herbicide tolerant varieties are residual herbicides. herbicides) strategies to reduce risks of • Limit atrazine rates to avoid plant • Limit atrazine rates to avoid plant • 1 m row spacings allow shielded • Limited herbicide registrations. cotton regrowth and volunteers. failed cotton drastically reduce subsequent cotton crops. weed seeds can be difficult to sell, early competitor with weeds. • Low tolerance of Group B, Group 9885). burdens as herbicide options are • Difficult to control lucerne ratoons/ available but beware of long plant resistance and shift to dominance of back problems. back problems. spraying/inter - row cultivation. tolerant species. crop options. incurring substantial discounts. C and Group I residues. limited. volunteers in cotton. backs to cotton. • Upland varieties are resistant. • Incorporate residues from Pima • Decrease if cotton residue • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. Bacterial Blight varieties soon after harvest to incorporated. Bacterial Blight prevent build up. • Risk is related to variety V rank. • Early incorporation of residues • May decrease with resistant • May Increase — Listed as a host • May increase — listed as a host • May increase — listed as host in • Decrease in weed free fallows reduces carryover. sunflower varieties. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. in USA and isolated from roots in • Decrease - not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. Verticillium Wilt in USA and in Queensland. QLD. (many weeds are hosts). Verticillium Wilt • Fields with long history of cotton • Most hybrids resistant. NSW. are at higher risk. • Survive in crop residues — • Survive in crop residues — • Survives in crop residues. • Survives in crop residues. • Survives in crop residues. Incorpo- • Survives in crop residues. • Survives in crop residues. • Survives in crop residues. • May increase unless crop • Decrease if cotton residue • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. Seedling Disease Incorporate early to minimise risk. Incorporate early to minimise risk. Incorporate early to minimise risk. Incorporate early to minimise risk. rate early to minimise risk. Incorporate early to minimise risk. Incorporate early to minimise risk. Incorporate early to minimise risk. residues incorporated early. incorporated. Seedling Disease

• Early incorporation of crop • May increase — listed as a host • May increase — listed as a host • Decrease if cotton residue • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as a host. • Decrease — not listed as a host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. • Decrease — not listed as host. Phytophthora Boll Rot residues may reduce carryover. in Qld. in Qld, WA. incorporated. Phytophthora Boll Rot

• Early incorporation of crop • Decrease if cotton residues • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Decrease. Alternaria Leaf Spot residues may reduce carryover. incorporated. Alternaria Leaf Spot • Non host. Requires repeated • Non host. Requires repeated • Non host. Requires repeated • Decrease with repeated use. • Biofumigant when incorporated • Decrease with repeated use • Decrease with repeated use • Decrease in weed — free fallows • Increase. use of non hosts in the rotation to • Increase. use of non hosts in the rotation to use of non hosts in the rotation to • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Can be used as a biofumigant Black Root Rot green. — Not a host. — Not a host. (some weeds are hosts). Black Root Rot reduce incidence. reduce incidence. reduce incidence. crop. • Increase — especially growing • Increase in crop residues — a • Increase in crop residues — a • Increase in crop residues — a • Increase in crop residues — a • Increase in crop residues — a • Increases in crop residues — a • May increase as saprophyte on • May increase as saprophyte on • Increase in crop residues — a • May increase as saprophyte on • May increase as saprophyte on • May increase as saprophyte on • May increase as saprophyte on • May increase as saprophyte on • Decrease with repeated bare Fusarium Wilt low F rank varieties. saprophyte. saprophyte. saprophyte. saprophyte. saprophyte. saprophyte. crop residues. crop residues. saprophyte. crop residues. crop residues. crop residues. crop residues. crop residues. fallows. Fusarium Wilt Sclerotinia • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Decrease. • Decrease. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Increase. • Decrease. • Decrease. Sclerotinia • Reduces VAM populations • Encourages VAM. • Independent — does not • Encourages VAM. • Encourages VAM. • Highly VAM dependent. • Highly VAM dependent. • Highly VAM dependent. • Highly VAM dependent. • Highly VAM dependent. • Very highly VAM dependent. • Highly VAM dependent. • Highly VAM dependent. • Very Highly VAM dependent. • Very highly VAM dependent. • VAM host, unknown dependency. • Consider P and Zn nutrition in the VAM • Highly VAM dependent. encourage VAM. • VAM dependent. • Low VAM dependence. VAM following crop. • Little N may be available to first • Inoculate with – Group J. • Inoculate with – Group I, strain cotton crop — slow release over a • Inoculate with – Group H, strain • Inoculate with – Group F. CB1015. • The main nutrients required are long time period. • Similar N requirement to high • Recycling of deeply leached • Mineralisation of N in the topsoil. • Low N requirement compared to • Inoculate with – Group H, strain P and Zn. Where Colwell P <40 CC1192. • The main nutrients required are P • Inoculate with – Group J. nutrients where soil moisture Nutrition • The main nutrients required are • Inoculate with – Group E. • Hay making removes large protein wheat. • Can utilize N leached to depth. • Leaching of salts, prevents their cotton. CB1809. • May require the addition of high ppm, apply 10–20 kg P/ha. In • Response to P fertiliser unlikely and Zn. In low P soils apply • The main nutrients required are allows root exploration. In N=Nitrogen • May require high amounts of N P and Zn. In low P soils apply 5 • The main nutrient required is P. In quantities of nutrients, particularly • High S requirement. • Requires N and P fertiliser . accumulation in the topsoil. Nutrition P=Phosphorus • Removes more K than N /tonne • N fixation depends on effective amounts of N, P and K fertiliser. • May require high amounts of N high pH soils apply Zn.• Huge unless Colwell P is <6–8 mg/kg. 15–20 kg P/ha. Responsive to Zn P and Zn. In low P soils apply particular S. (Ensure levels of P, K, S and trace fertiliser. – 10 kg P/ha, higher for irrigation. low P soils apply 9–14 kg P/ha. K. • More responsive to P than either • More responsive to P than cotton. • Nutrients may be leached beyond K=Potassium of seed. inoculation, low soil N at planting Due to rapid, early uptake of K, do • Check soil N before adding N. responses to Iron have been Very responsive to Zn when soil is when soil is <0.8 mg/kg. Apply at 10 – 15 kg P/ha. In high pH soils • May require N and P fertilizer elements, especially Zinc, are • Aim to replace P and K. Responsive to Zn when soil is • Likely to respond to P fertilizer at cotton or wheat. • Decaying stubble will tie up some the cotton root zone . S=Sulfur • Efficiency of N use depends on S and low salinity. not rely on foliar applications. recorded under irrigation at <0.8 mg/kg. least 5 kg Zn/ha on these soils. apply Zn. inputs similar to wheat where there adequate) <0.8 mg/kg. rates of 10–20 kg P/ha/year + 5 kg • Requires the addition of Zn where N in double - crop situations. • May cause Zn deficiency in next Zn=zinc availability. • Sensitive to Z deficiency. Breeza, NSW. is a full profile of soil moisture and/ P/ha/hay cut. soil tests indicate Zn is low. or irrigation. crop (VAM). N fixation depends on; effective inoculation, low soil N at planting, low salinity and low sodicity in the topsoil, absence of waterlogging, and will be proportional to crop biomass.

2 Mineralisation - environment 2 2 Nil. Nil. 70–280. Nil. Nil. 20–83. 0–38. 0–100. 50–190. 125–90. 65–255. up to 200. (12 mths) Nil. Nil. Nil. 2 N fixed (kg N /ha ) ** dependant. N fixed (kg N /ha )** Total N removed at Wheat & triticale 21 kg /tonne. Total N removed at 9–13 kg /bale. 38–42 kg /tonne. 67 kg /tonne. 16 kg /tonne. 16 kg /tonne. 35–40 kg /tonne. 35 kg /tonne. 30–35 kg /tonne. 35–40 kg /tonne. No harvest. No harvest. 28 kg /tonne dry matter 35 kg /tonne 25 kg /tonne Barley 20 kg /tonne. Not Applicable harvest *** Oats 17 kg /tonne. harvest ***

• Secondary benefits to cotton the • Potential to double crop (Emerald • Hectare contracts usually • Growing costs are strongly • Growing costs (~$100/ha) are • Multigrade hectare contracts. • Similar growing costs to • Lower establishment costs than influenced by irrigation. • Hay can be produced and sold major focus. only). • Cost of weed management must • Good cash crop, relatively low available. offset by; N fixation, increasing • Rarely if ever grown in • High gross margins ($/ha and • High establishment costs but • Use of grain storage assists with • Mung bean buyers focus on chickpeas. chickpeas. pools of plant available P, K — Both quantity and quality the northern cotton system • Birdseed, oil and meal markets • Seasonally dependant but fairly be attributed to the following crop. Economics establishment and growing costs. • Good cash crop, relatively low • Good cash crop. • Costs are offset by; N fixation, Economics $/ML) in most seasons. lower growing costs than cotton. grain marketing. visual appearance. Price is usually • Investigate marketing early as • Premiums for human increasing pools of plant available and Zn, reducing Black root rot, influences hay profitability. — flowering and oil yields can be segments (different varieties). reliable. • No opportunity cropping, (Refer to NSW DPI Gross Margin • Usually grown under contract. establishment costs. • Capacity to produce break even (Refer to NSW DPI Gross Margin • Careful risk management is • Range of target markets — all • Relatively high break even yield determined after grading. export demand is erratic – grain consumption markets P, K and Zn, increasing the soil’s increasing the soil’s capacity • Acts as a strong sink for mirids reduced by spring heat. Juncea • Poor returns due to low yields are • Normally higher gross margins particularly where residual • Seasonal conditions can strongly • Usually grown under contract. yields in drought seasons. Budget on NSW DPI Website) needed to avoid excessive cost. usually grown under contract. due to low value /tonne. • Lower gross margins than winter may be unsalable. • Hectare contracts only capacity to hold water and better to hold water and better root — potential to reduce insecticide canolas have greater adaptation to common. than winter legumes. herbicides are used. Budget on NSW DPI website) influence oil yields. • Profitability can be affected by pulses. occasionally available. root development in the following development in the following costs across the farm. North Western NSW. • Investigate marketing early as • High fertiliser input for maximum approach to disease management. cotton crop. cotton crop. demand is erratic. yields and quality. Water Water 7.4 ML/ha 100% 55–75 % 85–115 % 85–125 % 55–90 % 25–50 % (Usually not irrigated). 25–45 % 45 % 40% (to establish) 25% 125–170 % (depends on cuts) 20–40 % (Usually not irrigated). 40–50 % Not Applicable. requirements ET **** requirements ET**** • Better suited to spray irrigation • Schedule on 75–90 mm deficits • Tolerant to waterlogging. than surface. • Not usually irrigated when grown in self mulching soils, targeting • Requires approx. 50 mm of water/ • In northern areas a single • Roots dry soil to 2m. Pre-irrigation • Avoid watering up for best • Requires shorter irrigation • Avoid watering-up. Pre-irrigated • Spray irrigation may favour foliar • Tolerant to waterlogging. between wheat and cotton. budding and flowering or petal week during flowering and pod fill irrigation at early pod fill may be all following safflower penetrates to • Usually only watered once. inoculation results. intervals than cotton — check • Key growth stages for scheduling or plant into good rain moisture to diseases. • May require an early irrigation • May dry soil to depth (several • Field design is important. drop. • Time first irrigation ~7 days prior that is required. • Well suited to irrigation. Fully about 1m leaving dry band from • Reduces run-off and erosion. Irrigation Comments • Peak water demand starts at system capacity. irrigations are; mid to late tillering, ensure uniform establishment. • Avoid watering-up. irrigated crops produce more dry to aid establishment when grown metres). • Can compete for water and • Water conservation but may • Use soil water monitoring devices • Spring planted crops require more to flowering. • Avoid irrigation before flowering 1–2m, preventing deep drainage • Improves infiltration. flowering. • Water stressed crops more flowering and 10–14 days later in • Very sensitive to waterlogging, • Avoid irrigation at flowering. Refill matter /ML and fix more N/tonne of between cotton crops. • May require irrigation to keep labour. increase deep drainage potential. Irrigation Comments General to improve WUE. water. • Avoid irrigation after mid pod fill to — leads to rank growth and low in subsequent crops. • Can compete for water and labour • Stretching irrigations can reduce prone to disease — mycotoxin early grain fill. particularly in early stages of profile before flowering. dry matter than dryland or partially • Spray irrigation may favour foliar growth fresh. General • Sensitive to waterlogging. prevent late flowers. yields. • Can aggravate phytopthora/ (depending on winter rains). grain yield and protein. contaminated grain is unsalable. development. • Avoid irrigating water stressed irrigated crops. diseases. • Spray irrigation may favour • Very sensitive to waterlogging. • Spray irrigation may favour foliar alternaria in safflower. crops. • Very sensitive to waterlogging. disease. diseases. • Very sensitive to waterlogging. • Interval between cuts is influenced • Direct harvest when grain • Can be slashed and incorporated by variety, seasonal conditions and moisture content is 8% or windrow • Harvest when grain moisture is • Harvest when grain moisture is (disced) when green or sprayed, • Harvest when grain moisture • Harvest when grain moisture is • Harvest when grain moisture is • Harvest when grain moisture is • Harvest when grain moisture is • Spray out and slash at the start of irrigation availability. when 40–60% of seeds have •Harvest when grain moisture • Harvest when grain moisture • Harvest when grain moisture is 14% to minimise splitting, cracking 14% to minimise splitting, cracking root cut and left on the surface. is 15% and dry grain to 12% to 12%. 13.5%. 12% to minimise splitting, cracking 13%. podding (usually March/April). • Aim to cut when the stand when changed colour. content is 8%. content is 12.5% for wheat and 9% to minimise admixture. and colour downgrades. and colour downgrades. • Manure at least 4 weeks before minimise harvest losses and avoid • Grain drying equipment is • Can tolerate weathering. and colour downgrades. • Desiccating may aid harvest. • Manure at least 4 weeks before new shoots can be seen emerging • Generally withstands wet harvest •Requires slower travel speed than barley or 12% for oats and triticale. • Specialised equipment. • ‘Head snatchers’, sullivan reels • Desiccating may aid harvest. • Windrowing may aid harvest. cotton planting to minimise • Not Applicable. Harvest issues weather damage. recommended for autumn • Desiccation stops crop water • Desiccating may aid harvest • Rotary harvesters give best cotton planting to minimise disease from the crown. In warmer conditions better than wheat. for wheat to minimise losses. • Growers should confirm receival Harvest issues and sunflower trays assist with • Draper fronts are popular. For • Open front headers give best disease risks. • Thin seedcoat makes seed harvests. use and may allow more timely • Headers with air assist fronts results. Use very low drum speeds risks. months, this likely to be when • Windrowing allows earlier harvest •Reduce drum speed to prevent standards with their local grain harvest. conventional fronts, use low drums results. Use slow drum speeds • Timely farming operations susceptible to damage. • Need corn front to harvest. harvest. minimise losses. (350–400 rpm). the stand is at 10–30% bloom. In (7–10 days) and is preferred seed from cracking. merchant prior to harvest. speeds (300–500 rpm). (400–600 rpm). essential especially with milder conditions new shoots may where there is risk of spring continuous cotton. be seen before flowering. storms.

* Planting into freshly incorporated unweathered residues can lead to allelopathic effects. 2 Rochester IJ, Peoples MB, Constable GA and Gault RR (1998). Faba beans and other legumes add nitrogen to irrigated cotton cropping systems.

NOTES: ** N fixation can be restricted by water stress and nodulation. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 38, 253-260. Text Colours: *** A crop will take up approximately twice the amount of N as that removed at harvest. + Refer to Cotton Pest Management Guide 1 Refer to Cotton CRC Note “Sowing Cotton into Standing Wheat Stubble” Black - Positive interaction Orange - Cautionary note Red - Potential Disadvantage **** Average water requirements as a % of cotton usage These figures are a guide only. Note regional differences. Storage and transmission losses may significantly increase these values. ET = Evaporation and transpiration by plant.