O problema do espaçamento na cultura do algodão

Resumo

In Minas Geraes, the general system of cotton culture tends to produce fewer plants per acre than in other countries. Rows are commonly 4 to 6% feet apart with plants spaced from 10 inches to 3 feet in the row.

The Chinese usually sow cotton broadcast. In Egypt, where very high yields are obtained, close spacing is the rule. At the La Molina Experiment Station in Peru, an elfort was made to duplicate the practices in Egypt. Plots were planted with rows 2 1/2 feet apart, and plants spaced 8 inches in the row, as compared with the general practicd with rows 5 feet apart and plants spaced 2 feet in the row. The close spacings, which gave 6 times the number of plants per unit of area, gave 30% greater yield.

In experiments in the State of Alabama, U. S. A., which lies in the humid portion of the cotton belt, rows 3 2_1 feet apart gave best results on fertilized soil and 2 % feet apart on unfertilized soil. Similar experiments in the state of Louisia- na, U. S. A, demonstrated the fact that optimum yields depend upon a complete coverage of the surface of the ground by the cotton plants. Recommendation for hill land was, 3 feet for width between rows.and 2 to 4 stalks per hill every 10 inches; for richer valley lands, a 4 foot row, with 2 stalks every 15 inches.

In the light of these studies and, the fact that many of the cotton fields of Minas tend to show incomplete coverage of surface, narrower rows and closer spacing in the row particularly on poor soils would seem to be advantageous.