Texas A&M Leads $10M Project to Revolutionize Sustainable Cotton Farming in the U.S.

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

Researchers at Texas A&M, led by Dr. Muthukumar “Muthu” Bagavathiannan, are working on a major project to make cotton farming in the southern U.S. more sustainable and efficient. This $10 million project, funded by the USDA, aims to improve soil health and reduce the impact of climate change in the Cotton Belt, a region spanning major cotton-growing states like Texas, Georgia, and Mississippi.

Why This Matters:

Cotton is a major crop in the U.S., with 11.7 million acres planted in 2024—nearly half of it in Texas. However, cotton farming often involves heavy tillage (digging and turning the soil), which can harm soil health, increase erosion, and release greenhouse gases. The project focuses on reducing tillage and adopting better farming practices to improve sustainability.

Key Solutions:

  1. Better Weed Control: Using alternatives to excessive tillage to manage weeds, including herbicide-resistant ones.
  2. Cover Crops: Planting crops like winter grasses or summer perennials between cotton harvests to improve soil health and prevent erosion.
  3. Precision Agriculture: Using advanced technology like smart spraying, drought sensors, and AI to manage resources like water, nutrients, and pesticides efficiently.
  4. Grazing Integration: Letting livestock graze on cover crops to further enhance soil health.

Goals of the Project:

  • Study how these practices improve soil health and reduce climate risks.
  • Test new technologies to make farming more efficient and adaptable to changing climates.
  • Explore economic benefits like creating sustainable cotton markets and opportunities for carbon credits.
  • Promote these practices through farmer outreach and education.

Who’s Involved:

Texas A&M leads the project with partners from 12 universities, USDA research centers, and private organizations. They aim to develop strategies that work for different regions within the Cotton Belt, from the dry Southwest to the humid Southeast.

Why It’s Important:

Cotton farming often happens on poor-quality soils, so even small changes can lead to big improvements. By making cotton production more sustainable, the project could benefit both farmers and the environment while helping the U.S. adapt to climate challenges.

This effort combines cutting-edge technology with practical farming methods to ensure the future of cotton farming is both productive and environmentally friendly.

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