Economic Viability of Cover Crops in Semi-Arid Rainfed Cotton Systems.

Cover crops have been questioned as a feasible tool in rainfed cotton systems of Texas due to unfavorable conditions which can lead to poor stand establishments as well as significant soil moisture use prior to cash crop planting. We have evaluated the impact of cover crops on soil properties and cotton production since 2011 in a rainfed cotton system in North Texas. Exceptional drought conditions were endured for the first three years of the study. Evaluated treatments included conventional till, no-till, and no-till with the following cover crops: Austrian winter field pea, crimson clover, hairy vetch, wheat, and a mixed species. We recorded annual inputs and developed general enterprise budgets each year. We also evaluated soil moisture use and several soil health parameters. Stored soil moisture was lower for cover crop treatments at the time of termination but soil moisture was typically restored by cotton planting. Over a three-year period, there were no significant differences in net returns across all treatments. Total expenses were lowest for the no-till and no-till with a wheat cover crop. Data from 2016 are currently being finalized and will be added to the abstract.