UGA researchers dedicate research to making top grossing crop more sustainable

While cotton may be king, it can also use an upgrade.

University of Georgia researchers are investigating methods to enhance the adaptability of cotton, a key commodity crop in Georgia, in response to climate variability. 

“Cotton is one of our number one row crops,” said Anthony Black, superintendent of the Southeast Research and Education Center of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at the University of Georgia. “Cotton is a good fit for our state, so whatever research we can do to make sure we can continue growing it here, we will do.”

Cotton research and climate change

Black said his staff provides the land and support needed to aid the researchers in their research.

“Whether it’s preparing the seedbed, planting the actual crop, my job is to support them,” he said. “The research being done on cotton sustainability, from the climate change aspect, environmental aspect, there are several different research trials that are in support of that. We may have one trial here that’s focused on water management. 

“We may have a separate trial focused on the use of cover crops and soil health to promote cotton sustainability. So it’s not just one particular research trial. There are several different scientists from several different backgrounds and training that are all working together towards that one common theme.”

Wesley Porter, extension precision agriculture and irrigation specialist at the University of Georgia, is dedicated to precision agriculture, agricultural technologies, and applications related to production practices.

“We look at how we need to address climate variability,” said Porter. “That could be season to season or within season. It feels like we have periods of very heavy rainfall and then periods with no rainfall. We could look back maybe 20, 30 years ago, we had a more uniformly distributed rainfall throughout the season. 

“On average, I don’t think our rainfall has changed much. But it comes in harder and faster events. Those 3- and 4-inch rainfalls, instead of half-inch to 1-inch slower rains, can cause soil erosion.”

Porter said the current research is aimed at cotton conservation.

“Our research is looking at long-term effects of different types of cover crops and how we can help mitigate some of these in-season, climate variability issues,” he said. “Farmers were asking about different cover crop mixes, different conservation practices to help build soil structure and to reduce runoff, to increase water infiltration rate, and to increase overall soil health.”

‘Stuck with this behemoth’: Appling residents fear plans for data center in Columbia County

Cotton ranks No. 1 in production value among row and forage crops in Georgia and No. 2 in the nation, according to researchers with UGA.

The 2022 University of Georgia Farm Gate Value Report reported Georgia’s cotton crop was valued at $1.3 billion and is currently the second-highest grossing agricultural commodity in the state. In addition to its monetary merit, it’s also a significant contributor to the economy of the communities where cotton is grown in Georgia.  

Cotton and Peanuts

Black said there aren’t a lot of options for farmers outside of cotton and peanuts.

“Corn is an irrigated crop predominantly, whereas cotton and peanuts have a good fit on our dry land or non-irrigated acres,” said Black. 

Porter said that when cotton is grown using conservation practices like cover cropping and no-till, cotton can pull more carbon dioxide from the air than it emits. 

“If we’re able to build soil structure by putting cover crop biomass on top of the soil, it can increase soil infiltration rate,” he said. “Doing so can reduce our irrigation water requirements during the season, because we’re able to infiltrate more rainfall. We’re able to run off less of that rainfall. We’re able to reduce soil erosion. As we build soil structure and soil health, obviously, we all know that’s better for crop production. General soil health, soil structure mean that we’ll have healthier crops.”

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with several funders and Journalism Funding Partners.

Erica Van Buren is the climate change reporter for The Augusta Chronicle, part of the USA TODAY Network. Connect with her at EVanBuren@gannett.com or on X: @EricaVanBuren32.