Texas Cooperative Extension Service
The Texas A&M University System
PEST MANAGEMENT NEWS
Jones Mitchell
Nolan
Scurry
Stephen Biles
Extension Agent - IPM
P.O. Box 558
Sweetwater, TX 79556
Office: (915) 236-9011
Fax: (915) 236-9018
e-mail: biles-sp@tamu.edu
Website: http://nolan-ext.tamu.edu/ipm
Vol. 4, No. 14
THE INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT NEWSLETTER
FOR THE LOWER ROLLING PLAINS
September 13, 2001
Cotton Conditions

Most of the cotton fields have open bolls, some as much as 90-100% open. Several area cotton producers have already begun to apply harvest aids to the crop in preparation for stripping.

Insect pests seem to be non-existent, with aphids being the predominant insect of concern. Aphids are not a concern for yield reduction, but instead for quality reduction. The aphids excrete honey dew and that can result in a sticky cotton problem.

The question now being considered is "should I defoliate?" To answer this question, consider this: The first freeze is expected to be November 1 at the soonest and much of the cotton is at least 50% open right now. There is a great chance that a sufficient amount of lint to pay for the application of harvest aids will fall to the ground before natural defoliation occurs. Thus, if you think that a particular field is going to be harvested, and it is opening up you might seriously consider using a harvest aid.

 

Defoliation Trials

Defoliation trials have been sprayed this past week. This is a good way for us to find out what's new and what is working this year. Twelve different combinations of seven defoliants have been included in these trails, including Cyclone Max, Aim, Ginstar, Dropp, Def/Folex, Prep, Harvest Boost, and Finish.

Turn-Row meetings will be held in each county to look at the demonstrations 7 days after treatment.

Turn Row / Gin Meetings

September 17, 2001
Nolan County Defoliation Meeting
Wright Farm - FM 608, 1 mile South of I-20
September 18, 2001
Scurry County Defoliation Meeting
Eicke Farm - 1 mile East of Prison Rd. on Camp Sprs. Rd., then 1 mile North on CR
September 19, 2001
Mitchell County Crop Tour
Thompson Room at the First National Bank
September 20, 2001
Jones County Defoliation Meeting
Hargrove Farm - Hwy 277, Approx. 4 miles North of Anson

Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied. We will seek to provice reasonable accomodations for all persons with disabilites for all extension programs. We request that you contact Mr. Stephen Biles (915/236-9011) as soon as possible to advise us of the auxiliary aid or service that your require.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

1

 

Table 1. Heat Units Accumulated from
Selected Dates Through September 12, 2001
From
Thru
Total Heat Units
(60/95 degrees F)
5/01
9/12
2,666.5
5/10
9/12
2,570.5
5/20
9/12
2,396.5
6/01
9/12
2,224
6/10
9/12
2,052
6/20
9/12
1,829.5
7/01
9/12
1,589
7/10
9/12
1,391
7/20
9/12
1,145
Table 2. Accumulated Heat Units Required for Different Stages of Cotton
Growth Stage
From Emergence
From Previous Stage
1st True Leaf
16
16
Pin-head Square
455
439
Match-head Square
560
105
1/3 Grown Square
770
210
First Bloom
1064
294
First Open Boll
1641
577
95% Mature Bolls
2271
630

 
Table 3. Estimated Time Sequence of Growth and Development Stages in the Cotton Plant.
Planting Date
 --
1st Square 32 Days
--
1st White Bloom 23 Days
--
1st Open Boll 55 Days
--
30% Open 15 Days
--
60% Open 10 Days
--
85% Open 20 Days
--

 

Table 4. Projected Dates of Crop Growth Landmarks for Various Planting Dates Based on Table 3
Planting
Date
1st
Square
1st White
Bloom
1st Open
Boll
30%
Open
60%
Open
85%
Open
5/01
6/02
6/25
8/19
9/03
9/13
10/03
5/10
6/11
7/04
8/28
9/12
9/22
10/12
5/20
6/21
7/14
9/07
9/22
10/02
10/22
6/01
7/03
7/26
9/19
10/04
10/14
11/03
6/10
7/12
8/04
9/28
10/13
10/23
11/12
6/20
7/22
8/14
10/08
10/23
11/02
11/22
* Keep in mind that these dates are estimates, warmer and cooler temperatures will hasten and delay crop maturity, respectively.

 


Posted at this web site by:
texagnet Internet Services.
2