Response of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to flame cultivation

Field studies to evaluate the response of cotton to flame cultivation were conducted in 1994, 1995, and 1996. Flame cultivation at different liquid propane-gas (LP-gas) pressure settings (100 and 175 kPa) with or without watershield protection was applied to cotton at two stages of growth (20 to 25 cm and 40 to 45 cm tall). In 1994, younger cotton was more susceptible to flame cultivation than older cotton, and flaming at an LP-gas pressure of 175 kPa without watershield protection increased plant injury regardless of growth stage, whereas injury was not evident in 1995 and 1996. Injury caused by flame cultivation was a transient browning of lower leaf margins. The use of a watershield sprayed above the burner reduced injury. Flame cultivation applied to cotton 20 to 25 cm tall slightly elevated the first fruiting node, but no effects were noted on other vegetative and reproductive growth parameters or yield regardless of pressure setting or watershield protection. Flame cultivation applied to cotton 40 to 45 cm tall did not affect the position of the first fruiting node. Although flame cultivation caused some injury one year, total seed cotton and cotton lint yields were not reduced.