Roundup applications should cease on the majority of cotton in both counties. Only unless you are in a salvage situation should you apply broadcast to Roundup Ready cotton after 5th true leaf stage. Remember Roundup Ready cotton at the 5th leaf stage and conventional cotton varieties are not much different in the way you should handle Roundup applications. A shielded sprayer can be used on both, just don't get "sloppy" on the conventional varieties.

Many acres of peanuts are being treated with 2,4-DB (Butyrac) right now. I am seeing good results. Just be careful with wind and drift. Another option you might consider if Russian thistle is a predominate weed is paraquat (Cyclone). Apply paraquat according to label. You should stay in the upper range of the rate (10.oz.), use 15 gallons water per acre, 1/2% v/v 90% non-ionic surfactant (½ gallon surfactant per 100 water), spray early in day not late as suggested when killing cotton, be careful of drift, and dust can bind with chemical and cause it to be ineffective.

Using a soil probe with a ½" ball bearing tip we have been able to penetrate to as much as 59" deep to as little as 14" deep. On average most soils across the area have good moisture down to an average of 39".

HEAT UNITS (DD 60's)

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Small nymphs may be confused with aphids, cotton fleahoppers and leaf hopper nymphs. Plant bugs prefer legumes to cotton and usually are found in large numbers in areas of alfalfa or potato production or areas providing wild hosts, such as clovers, vetches, mustard and dock. Lygus bugs are attracted to succulent growth; their feeding results in shedding of squares and small bolls, stunted growth and boll deformation. Feeding damage to small bolls is often characterized as small black spots or small sunken lesions. The feeding that causes these spots or lesions may or may not penetrate the boll wall and damage developing seeds or lint. Damage to blooms appears as black anthers and puckered areas in petals.

Management and decision making. The need for lygus bug control is determined by their abundance in relation to the fruiting condition of the cotton plants. During the first week of squaring, the economic threshold is 1 lygus bug adult or nymph per three feet of row combined with less than 90 percent square set. In the second week of squaring, the economic threshold is 1 lygus bug adult or nymph per three feet of row combined with less than 85 percent square set. In the third week of squaring, the economic threshold is 1 lygus bug adult or nymph per three feet of row combined with less than 75 percent square set. After the third week of squaring, the economic threshold is 2 lygus bug adults or nymphs per three feet of row with less than acceptable fruit retention.

After peak bloom, begin treatment when drop cloth counts exceed 2 lygus bug adults or nymphs per three feet of row and plants have failed to retain squares and set bolls normally during the first 4 to 5 weeks of fruiting.

Research in the Arizona and California indicates that the western tarnished plant bug (Lygus hesperus) may be more difficult to control with insecticides and may require the use of higher labeled rates of suggested insecticides.

PEANUT CULTIVATION
Because of their growth habit, peanuts are not well-suited for conventional cultivation methods. Movement of soil onto peanuts can cause several problems. The lower nodes of the lowest lateral branches will be covered with soil, which inhibits normal flower, peg and pod set and reduces production. Soil thrown to the crown and lateral portions of the peanut plant creates favorable conditions for blight and other diseases. Plow sweeps should be operated flat and shallow to remove weeds without throwing soil to the plant and pruning lateral roots.

Important Terms and Concepts in IPM
Economic Injury Level (EIL)- the lowest level of a pest that will cause economic damage, ie. the level of pests where the dollar loss caused by the pest exceed the cost of control.

Economic threshold (ET) is the level of pest infestation when control should be applied to keep an increasing pest population from causing economical losses. The ET is also called the action threshold because it is the pest level where action should be taken so that economic losses are avoided.

The economic threshold is a key IPM decision-making tool. Thresholds are based on considerable amounts of research and/or field experience. If the economic threshold is approached, but not reached, do not apply a pesticide at that time. Instead, re-scout the field within a few days to determine the status of the infestation. Pest populations can decline naturally due to mortality from natural enemies and unfavorable weather conditions. Also, many pests, such as caterpillars, change from an active feeding (larva) to a non-feeding stage (pupa) during their development. Such changes will often produce a natural decline in infestations as pupation occurs.

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