Two field trials were conducted in north Florida, U.S.A., to determine any yield advantages of planting cotton into the previous cotton crop row middle rather than the usual in-row planting. Soil at the sites was a loamy sand infested with reniform nematodes (Rotylenchulus reniformis). Initial nematode population densities were less in the row middle than in row stubble from the previous year. As the season progressed, reniform nematode population densities in cotton planted in the row middle and in-row were approximately the same. At seasons end, reniform nematode population densities in the row middle of both trials were lower than in the respective in-row plantings. Cotton lint yields were increased by 30% in one test and 40% in another test by planting in previous cotton row middles. This cultural technique requires no additional cost to growers, and allows yield improvement which would be profitable for growers.
