Cottonseed meal as a fertilizer for cotton

              Press Bulletin 1006
COTTONSEED MEAL AS A FERTILIZER FOR COTTON
During the years 1940 to 1943 inclusive, experiments in the use of cottonseed
meal as a fertilizer for cotton were carried on at the U. S. Cotton Field Station
at State College, New Mexico. The material was applied at rates of 300 and 500
pounds per acre, with untreated plots as checks. The same field was used during
the entire period and the various plots were given the same treatment each year in
order that cumulative effects, if any, could be noted. The soil was of a heavy
clay adobe type. The cottonseed meal was applied at planting time in bands on each
side of the cottonseed" at a depth of about 3 inches and from 1 to 2 inches away.
Results of the experiments are shown in the accompanying table, which gives
thelyields in pounds of seed cotton per acre, the estimated gross money value per
acre, the approximate cost of the cottonseed meal, and the estimated net money
value per acre. Also shown are the differences in yields and money values required
before significance may be attributed to effects of the applications of the fertilizer. Estimated money values were based on average prices actually received for
cotton produced at the Field Station and the average prices of cottonseed and cottonseed meal at Las Cruces, New Mexico, during the years indicated.
It will be seen from the table that in only one instance in the 4 years of the
tests was a significant difference realized as a result of the application of the
fertilizer; that was in 1943 when the 500-pound treatment gave a net return per
acre $24.76 higher than the 300-pound treatment. In the same experiment, however,
the 500-pound treatment did not make a significantly higher return than the check,
which returned a greater net value per acre than the 300-pound treatment.
In view of the results of these experiments, therefore, it may be concluded
"that—under- present conditions—and-at prices approximating those now current for
cottonseed meal, this material cannot be profitably used as a fertilizer for cotton
in the amounts tried and under the conditions described. At the present time it is
not available for fertilizing purposes,
A.-R. Leding, ■
Associate Agronomist,
U. S. Cotton Field Station,
June 29, 1945 State College, New Mexico.