AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES TO ENHANCE SOIL QUALITY AND RESOURCE EFFICIENCY IN THE TEXAS SOUTHERN HIGH PLAINS

1. Determine the optimum application timing and rate of nitrogen fertilizer for continuous cotton and cotton rotated with wheat and following a cover crop under varying irrigation levels.2. Evaluate cropping systems of cotton rotated with wheat compared to continuous cotton and determine effects of management strategies, such as tillage and irrigation level on soil health.3. Demonstrate and quantify the impact of no-tillage and single and mixed species cover crops on soil C and soil water holding capacity, yield and economics of cotton production.4. Identify and quantify the effects of soil health promoting practices (no-tillage, cover crops and crop rotations) in organic and conventional cropping systems.