Monitoring plant growth rates

The relationship between cotton plant height and the number of nodes affects the yield - plants too growing too quickly will lose productive lint yield, and if too short (possibly because of soil compaction problems) will also lose yield. Tony Cush of Pechelbar, Moree, NSW has measured plant height and number of nodes, and an overlaid cross-correlation graph shows which fields are under or over the Vigour Index line.

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Relationship between plant height and nodes

Actual plant water use patterns using depth graphs can then be examined to further investigate the different behaviours. The measurements are continuing, with all fields being monitored throughout the growing period tracking the height/node relationship.