Crop moisture status is dependent on the evaporative demands of the crop and the available moisture in the soil. We are exploring alternative production practices for their ability to provide increased soil available moisture for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) crops under the humid growing conditions of the Mississippi Delta. Deep tillage, or subsoiling, has been suggested to increase the infiltration of water into the soil profile during winter rain events, increasing the soil available moisture during the growing season. Increased soil organic matter from winter cover crops has also been suggested to increase soil surface permeability and subsequent soil moisture. We are measuring the plant and soil moisture levels under two production systems: conventional production, with deep tillage; and conservation production, reduced tillage with a winter wheat cover crop. Watermark soil moisture monitors are used to measure the moisture in the soil profile and indicate rooting depth. Plant growth characteristics and fruiting patterns are measured to determine plant stress levels. Hyperspectral imagery is being taken to develop spectral signatures of water stress in cotton crops, and develop remote sensing systems for early detection of crop water stress. Plots are either rain fed or irrigated. Plots are replicated across two predominant soil types of the lower Mississippi alluvial flood plain. Differences in yield and cotton fiber quality are determined at harvest.