A Comparison of Regular Tillage and Wind Strips Using Weeping Lovegrass on Dryland Cotton in West Texas- Some Preliminary Results

Texas has an estimated 1.15 million acres of cropland damaged by wind erosion. Plant growth and yield are affected through soil displacement and and through abrasion damage. Adjacent fields, one with perennial love grass strips and one without wind strips were analyzed. Production cost. and establishment and maintenance costs were compared and found to be similar with differences due to yield. The revenue per acre for both practices was affected by yield and quality attributes of the fiber. Lint produced in the grass stripped acreage was classed as white (grade 31) and that produced on the open field was classed as light spotted (grade 32).