Abstract
58 any benefits that UNR may confer (Figure 1). Measuring the growth of UNR cotton in comparison with conventionally spaced cotton without the confounding effects of different approaches to crop agronomy is the first step in gaining this understanding. Ultimately though, to optimise the UNR cropping system may mean developing a complete agronomic package that may differ from current agronomic practices in a number of ways.
Early and frequent use of Pix is often considered as part of a UNR systems package. To date most trials in Australia comparing UNR to conventionally spaced systems have included differences in Pix applications—confounding comparisons that may identify any advantages of UNR for earliness and yield. As it is the aim of the project to understand the crop physiological factors that drive yield and maturity in the UNR system, none of the trials so far have had any Pix applications.