Cotton fields vary from 3-4 leaf to first bloom. Rainfall has spotted the area, but we are still in need of a good 1-2 inch rain across the whole area. I haven't noticed any fields showing signs of water stress, but when the plants begin to bloom, water requirements increase greatly. Fruit retention remains high in most fields with few exceptions (68-97% square set).

Cotton Fleahoppers continue to be found in high numbers (0-42 per 100 terminals). In dryland cotton, once you have sufficient number of first position fruit larger than pinhead square (3 to 5 per plant), you probably will not want to consider treatment for fleas.

Bollworm eggs are being found in some of the survey fields (0-15 eggs per 100 plants). The presence of eggs tells us that we may be seeing worms soon but it is common to have very high egg mortality so don't treat based on egg counts. This next week will tell if these eggs are surviving and hatching into worms.

Treatment for bollworms prior to bloom is rarely needed, requiring more than 15-25% damaged squares. Economic thresholds for bollworms after bloom are 5,000 to 10,000 worms per acre (depending on scouting confidence).

Beneficial insects remain in high numbers with populations exceeding 100 predators per 100 plants.

August 23, 2001
Sweetwater, Rolling Plains Co-Op Compress

July 9 Alexander Drip Irrigated Field - West of Roscoe on I-20

July 10 Producers Co-op Gin - Colorado City

July 11 David Kattes' Farm - FM 1611 - 1.5 miles North of Hwy. 180

July 12 Tim Shield's Farm - FM 605 1.5 miles West of Hwy. 277 (Hawley)

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Table 5. Projected Dates of Crop Growth Landmarks for Various Planting Dates Based on Table 4