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Texas Cooperative Extension Service The Texas A&M University System 30th Anniversary |
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News about Integrated Pest Management in Hale-Swisher Counties. Greg Cronholm, Extension Agent - IPM, 122 East 6th, P.O. Box 680, Plainview, TX., 79073-0680, 806-291-5273 |
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Web Site: http://entowww.tamu.edu |
E-Mail:
g-cronholm@tamu.edu
June 11, 2002 |
| General
Rainfall has been variable over the area the past few weeks with a few tenths to over 4 ½ inches reported. Many farms received rain in the ½ to 1 ½ inch range. The rain has been beneficial for our farms; but not the hail that has been associated with some of these storms. The Abernathy/Petersburg area has been hit twice with major hail damage. Other areas in Hale and Swisher Co. have had hail, but damage has been minimal. High winds this past weekend may have damaged some cotton, but most fields should grow out of this damage quickly. Cotton Cotton ranges from just emerging to the nine true leaf stage. Cotton planted on April 24 now has up to 3 squares per plant. Some early April planted cotton has been reported with up to 6 squares per plant. It is an unusual situation to have squaring cotton this early. Most of our fields are now in the 2 to 5 leaf growth stage. As cotton enters the squaring stage the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation will start treatments for weevils, as thresholds are met. So far this spring collections of weevils have been very low for the Northern Zone. This is great news for this area and a probable indication that we are at least a year ahead of schedule based on original projections. |
Thrips
again this year have been a major problem. As wheat has dried down, populations
have migrated to find other host plants. Cotton and corn were heavily
infested during the month of May. Migrations started the last week of
April and continued through June 1. During the last seven days movement
has been greatly reduced, but growers should continue to be concerned
about this pest. Early planted cotton with no insecticide treatment had
3 to 4 leaves with extensive foliage damage. With the recent hot temperatures,
excellent growing conditions and reduced thrips migrations damage is now
much less with the new emerging leaves having reduced damage. The threshold
for thrips treatment is an average of one thrip per plant from cotyledon
to 1st true leaf. After this the threshold is when the average number
of thrips per plant exceed the average number of true leaves per plant
for the cotton. Therefore in the 2nd true leaf stage the threshold is
an average of 2 thrips per plant. Usually by the time cotton reaches the
6th true leaf stage, thrips are no longer a concern
In recent years growers have shifted to insecticide treated seed for control of thrips. This type of treatment generally has a shorter period of residual control than the traditional in-furrow applications of Temik. This has been acceptable since most growers now plant Roundup Ready cotton varieties. A second treatment for thrips is made when the Roundup applications are made prior to the 5th true leaf stage. |
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In the past Orthene, dimehtoate and Bidrin have been mixed with Roundup for thrips and weed control. No phytotocity to cotton or loss of insecticide efficacy have been reported. These insecticides will generally provide 3 to 7 days control of thrips. If migrations continue a second foliar application may be required. False cinch bugs have been reported moving into cotton from pasture areas or wheat fields. Sometimes, these populations can be overwhelming for young cotton and can reduce stands along field margins. The foliar thrips control products mentioned above will provide control or suppression of false cinch bugs, but usually higher rates are required. Lygus bugs were very abundant in alfalfa sampled in May in the Halfway area. They have also been observed in weed hosts. As cotton enters the squaring stage, scout your cotton for this pest and cotton fleahoppers. The last six years we have had more problems with Lygus bugs than the cotton fleahoppers. A few grasshopper problems have been reported next to draws and pastures. Keep watch for this pest if you have cotton located adjacent to these areas. CORN Banks grass mites have been found in several area corn fields. So far colonies remain light and sporadic. Beneficial have already been observed feeding in these colonies. |
SORGHUM No pest problems have been reported at this time. The yellowing in many fields is due to iron deficiency . This can be corrected with foliar applications of iron.
Greg Cronholm,
Extension Agent - IPM,  Posted at this web site by: texagnet Internet Services. |
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by the cooperative Extension is implied. The
Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the
County Commissioners Courts of Texas
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