Rochester, Texas
Cotton Incorporated researchers make investments on behalf of cotton farmers by funding research projects across the Cotton Belt. Another way Cotton Incorporated invests in the future of cotton research is through the development of graduate students and the next generation of cotton scientists.
Four graduate students in Texas that have weed science projects partially funded by Cotton Incorporated have also received funding to participate in the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR) Fellows Program to develop research and leadership skills with students from across the country.
Dr. Gaylon Morgan, Ag and Environmental Research Director at Cotton Incorporated, manages weed-related sponsored projects at Cotton Incorporated, among many other discipline areas. He is optimistic about the future of weed science research and the next generation of scientists because of programs like FFAR.
“While we can work with these graduate students on specific projects to address weed management systems on the farm, their participation in FFAR gives them an opportunity to develop as leaders and researchers,” Morgan said. “When graduate students complete their programs and look for full-time positions, we want them to consider continuing to work in cotton. I believe supporting their participation in FFAR will help us secure the next generation of top-notch scientists in cotton.”
Weed Seed Destruction
One of these students, Sarah Chu, a Ph.D. graduate student at Texas A&M University, focuses her research on weed seed destruction and the impact left-behind seeds can have on future weed emergence. Chu’s interest in an integrated weed management program stems from knowing that future success for farmers managing weeds in the field will have to come from more than herbicides alone.
Where the destruction of the weed seeds could take place in the cotton harvest process is one question Chu asked during her research. She has successfully tested running cotton gin trash through an impact mill to destroy and crush the seeds to produce weed-seed-free gin trash.
In a post-harvest approach, when cotton fields are typically shredded or mowed down, seeds from existing weed plants are put back into the soil. Chu is looking at what approach farmers could take in the field whether it is running these cuttings through a chopper, a controlled burn or other practices to destroy the seeds.
Chu was sponsored by Cotton Incorporated to participate in the FFAR program during her Ph.D. work. She credits the program with understanding project management, time management and collaboration with other researchers to reach larger impact outcomes for growers.
Current And Future Years
Another interesting area of weed research in Texas is being led by Texas A&M Ph.D. graduate and FFAR program participant Dr. Sarah Kezar. Her focus has been on how different weed management practices impact weeds in the current year and how they impact the seed bank in future years. The practices that have measured results are layby application, hand removal, spot spraying, cover crops, early applications and a zero-tolerance approach.
This work helps growers determine the impacts their management practices will have on weed control in the current year and the following years. Her studies have shown programs with zero tolerance and targeted weed management can lead to higher lint yields and less weed emergence year after year. Cotton Incorporated provided funding for Kezar’s research and supported her participation in the FFAR program.
“I’m originally from the Midwest and didn’t know much about cotton when I started my research work, but I’m so thankful Cotton Incorporated took a chance on me to fund my research and my FFAR program. Cotton is my favorite crop to work with now,” Kezar said.
Cotton Incorporated’s Dr. Gaylon Morgan serves as a mentor for two other students, at Texas Tech University and Texas A&M University, currently in the FFAR program. This allows him to collaborate in research and stay abreast of innovations in the weed science space.
“I think supporting these students in their research studies and ensuring they develop the tools needed to succeed in their work is important to make sure we have future scientists that are capable and successful in working for cotton farmers in the future,” Morgan said. “It’s a great return on a financial investment when these top-notch student scientists become leaders in their field and choose to work on cotton for years to come.”
For more information from CI’s agricultural research department, go to https://cottoncultivated.cottoninc.com/.