Nitrogen Carry-over Impacts in Irrigated Cotton Production, Southern High Plains of Texas

Date
1989-12
Authors
Onken, Arthur B.
Deussen, Curtis R.
Ethridge, Don E.
Segarra, Eduardo
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Western Agricultural Economics Association
Abstract

A dynamic optimization model which introduces an intertemporal nitrate-nitrogen residual function is used to derive and evaluate nitrogen fertilizer optimal decision rules for irrigated cotton production in the Southern High Plains of Texas. Results indicate that optimal nitrogen applications critically depend on initial nitrate-nitrogen levels and nitrogen-to-cotton price ratios. Also, the results indicate that single-year optimization leads to suboptimal nitrogen applications, which helps explain long-term cotton yield declines in the Southern High Plains of Texas; but single-year optimization docs not significantly impact the net present value of returns of irrigated cotton operations.

Description
Keywords
dynamic optimization, nitrogen carry-over, production efficiency.
Citation
Segarra, E., D. Ethridge, C. Deussen, A. Onken. "Nitrogen Carry-Over Impacts in Irrigated Cotton Production, Southern High Plains of Texas." _Western Journal of Agricultural Economics_ 14.2 (1989):300-309.