HEAT UNIT ACCUMULATION UPDATE

As of June 20, 2002:

Refer to June 28th Newsletter for comparison of heat units needed for specific growth stages of cotton. We are certainly ahead of the game in this category.

Cotton showers have been a real blessing in most areas and the heavy rains of 2-4 inches last week were certainly welcome.
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Cotton is doing extremely well considering the start that most of it experienced early on – growth stages of program cotton are from pin-head to first bloom with square-sets hovering at 83 to 94% as of July 10th.

Insect problems in cotton are almost non-existent with fleahoppers ranging from 2 to 4 % in most program fields if, in fact, any can be found at all. No aphids have been reported in program cotton even though some fields around Lorenzo have been reported to contain hot spots of this pest. Grasshoppers are remaining a nuisance but have not been a treatable problem in any program cotton to date. Beneficial insects and spiders have generally maintained populations except in those areas where grasshoppers have had to be controlled – this from Robert Carter, local consultant, who has treated for grasshoppers along the edge of the "Cap". Beneficials will need to grow rapidly as populations to maintain adequate protective coverage of the plants. As fast as cotton is developing, growth dilution effectively depletes beneficial numbers and potentially increases sites for pest insects to develop. Bollworms have been found in Lubbock and surrounding counties but remain at sub-economic levels.

None have been found in program fields in Crosby or Floyd Counties but, with increased cotton canopy, higher overall humidity levels and increased egg-lay activity, the potential certainly exists for this insect to flourish in the lush environment provided.

Pumpkin and ornamental gourd production is excelling with general rainfall and hot weather. Squash bugs have not been a problem as yet, however, cucumber beetles are present in sometimes large numbers and have required treatment in one program field thus far. Disease symptoms have just become evident in the last day or two with samples submitted for diagnostic review. A general yellowing has appeared across pumpkin varieties seemingly overnight with wilt as the next symptom leading to plant death. At this time there are only a few isolated areas of a few fields that have shown these effects. There is by no means an epidemic at this time. Sources have indicated the possibility of Cucurbit Yellow Vine Disease or Bacterial Wilt as the suspected causal agents - both of which are vectored by insects. Results from the lab will not be available regrettably until next Wednesday, July 17, and will be posted in the next newsletter.

Bollworm, budworm and beet armyworm traps as of June 26th have captured:

Africanized honey bees are in the news again as Crosby and Kaufman (east of Dallas) Counties have officially been quarantined against bee movement out of these areas. Movement within and into these areas is not prohibited but, movement out requires testing of the hives to prove "domesticated purity". Most beekeepers are used to this process by now according to the Texas Apiary Inspection Service's chief inspector, Paul Jackson. On the Web, try http://agnews.tamu.edu/bees for more information on Africanized Bees.

The use of PIX ® has been discussed by several growers this year who have experienced adequate rainfall events which may be instrumental in potentially "rank" cotton growth. As long as label directions and rates are adhered to, there should be no problems. Skimpy stands will probably benefit the most from this product.

Boll weevil trapping data has maintained with only a 0.001 increase in the Southern Plains/Caprock and Northern Plains Zones . With cotton reaching 1/3 grown square to bloom stage this number should decrease as the food source will become increasingly more attractive. The Southern Plains/Caprock and the Northern High Plains Zones (13 counties)have treated approximately 80,000 acres of cotton for boll weevil as of July 7, 2002. Year to date treated acreage totals approximately 190,000 acres for these two zones.

Steve Davis
Extension Agent-IPM
Crosby/Floyd Counties

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