The Dryland cotton industry is often disadvantaged by not being able to plant within the limited time available under the planting window. The ideal planting conditions do not necessarily match with the planting window timeframe meaning often crops are forced to be planted in less than ideal conditions.

Our aim is to find out what growers are using now to overcome issues of planting in less than optimal conditions. We also aim to document what equipment is available from manufacturers here and overseas which may be applicable to our conditions.

This information is likely to not only be suitable for dryland but also for irrigated cotton

The project undertook a desk top study to review available planting options that might result in improved establishment of cotton seeds in rain grown cotton production. A key factor in the successful establishment of raingrown cotton was that seeds planted into compacted soils led to the development of a kinze crack resulting in a dry layer surrounding the seed, preventing germination and establishment. Strip tilling and the use of an NDF SA650 single disc opener may overcome some of the issues associated with planting a sensor that also determines the varying moisture layer would better assist growers seeking improved stands.

Through the grower survey we now have a very good idea of many of the ways growers are modifying existing equipment to overcome the difficulties of planting into less than ideal conditions. We know which are working and why as well as what didn’t work. This information will now be widely available.

The desktop research has been valuable because we now know what is available to purchase of the shelf and the reality is that not much of that equipment will be suitable. A couple of machines are worth working with further as they do appear to have some potential. Pat also detailed a lot about soil structure and how this is affecting seedling performance and possible ways to remediate. Kinze crack was identified by many growers as a problem and few realised this was due mainly in part to poor structure of the soil.

Through this research we know that there is not a machine already available to use and we also have confirmed that it does not appear any growers have solved the problem already.