Evaluating selected skip‐row planting patterns for upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L .) in North Carolina

Abstract Input costs associated with cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. ) production systems have increased exponentially in recent years, prompting interest for innovative cost‐saving methods, such as alternative row configurations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ability of various skip‐row systems to achieve similar, or greater, net returns to that of conventionally planted cotton without row skips across multiple years and environments in North Carolina. The alternative row configurations evaluated were a four and one skip‐row, a two and one skip‐row, and an ultra‐wide‐row (UWR) that were then compared to solid‐planted cotton without skips. Net returns for each configuration were developed using recent economic data and a range of potential lint valuations. Field studies were conducted from 2021 to 2024 at several research stations in Eastern North Carolina, totaling 17 site‐years. The 2 × 1 and UWR configurations generally yielded significantly lower net returns than solid‐planted cotton in all years except 2023 when accounting for seed and harvest costs, suggesting limited utility in North Carolina cotton production. In 2024, the 4 × 1 configuration netted a greater return than solid‐planted cotton at a lint price of 1. 433 kg −1 when accounting for seed and harvest costs, but similar returns should be expected from these two systems in most years. These results suggest that the 4 × 1 skip‐row system in NC may occasionally yield greater net returns than conventionally planted cotton when lint prices are relatively low, after accounting for savings on planting seed and harvest operation costs.