Evaluation of Cotton Varieties on Dryland Farming Conditions in Nueces County

Transcription

1 Evaluation of Cotton Varieties on Dryland Farming Conditions in Nueces County Prince Farms 2002 NUECES COUNTY Harvey L. Buehring, and Michael W. Potter, County Extension Agent-Ag., Demonstration Assistant-Ag. respectively SUMMARY: Three of the 36 varieties evaluated in this test produced over 1000 lint pounds per acre with a very limited early season rainfall. These top performing varieties included Deltapine s 449 BR, 555 BG/RR and 491. A Texas Agriculture Experimental Station experimental line designated as 96-WD-22 produced a very respectable 986 pounds of lint. The yield average for all 36 varieties in this evaluation was 841 lint pounds per acre. OBJECTIVE: This demonstration was conducted in order to evaluate 35 cotton lines including commercially available varieties and experimental cultivars to determine their adaptation to Nueces County s dryland farming conditions. This demonstration provides an evaluation of cotton varieties marketed in the area, with new and experimental materials to evaluate their performance in a side-by-side planting. MATERIALS and METHODS: The test plot was planted on March 28, 2002 with a 16 row planter on 30" row spacing. The FiberMax 832 variety was planted a test standard to determine field variation. The plot was harvested with two 6 row John Deere stripper and the seed cotton was weighed in the field with an electronic weigh wagon. Samples were collected from each variety to determine percent lint turnout and fiber characteristics. Seed cotton samples were ginned in small 10-saw gin and lint samples were sent to the International Textile Center in Lubbock, Texas for HVI fiber measurements. Planting Date: March 28, 2002 AGRONOMIC DATA Soil Type: Victoria Clay Harvest Date: August 17,2002 Plot Length/Width: 1089' Base Fertility: side dressed at later date Herbicide: 2 qt. prowl Plot Size (ac): 0.25 ac. Previous Crop: Corn RESULTS and DISCUSSION: This test site had very good deep moisture but had to endure very dry early growing season from April through June. Very acceptable stands were established with all 36 varieties involved in this evaluation. The earlier maturing varieties were not helped by the late season rainfall to the degree experienced by the full season or less determinate lines. This test site experienced higher fiber micronaire readings than were experienced at other test sites in he county with the same 11

2 varieties that were evaluated. The fiber strength readings were very good although staple length fell below expectations as a result of stress during early boll development. TABLE 1: Cotton Variety Demonstration, Prince Farms 2002 Rank Company Variety Mic Length Strength %T/O Lb/Ac 1 Deltapine 449 BR Deltapine 555 RR Deltapine TAMCOT 96-WD Bayer FM Bayer FM 832 B Paymaster 1199 RR Deltapine 436 RR Deltapine Delta Pearl Bayer ACSI RR Bayer FM 958 B Bayer FM Bayer ACSI RR Bayer FM Phytogen PSC Stoneville 4793 R Bayer FM Douglass King 212 ct TAMCOT 96-WD Stoneville 4892 BR Bayer FM 989 BG/RR STOCS Texas Deltapine 20 B Stoneville BXN 49B TAMCOT 96-WD-69 S Douglass King 310 ct Syngenta N 2387 C

3 28 STOCS Texas 24 R MAR 269 M Syngenta N STOCS Texas 28 R TAMCOT 96-WD STOCS Texas 30 R Bayer FM STOCS Texas Paymaster 1218 BR AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW 348 TABLE 2: Tester Variety Summary, Prince Farms 2002 Company Variety Mic Length Strength %T/O Lb/Ac Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW 301 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Thanks Jon, Jeff and Cooper Prince and the staff at Prince Farms for providing the land, equipment, labor and time required to conduct this demonstration. Thanks is also expressed to the seed companies that provided varieties for this trial. DISCLAIMER CLAUSE: Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M University System is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment does not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary. Results obtained from local trials conducted over a three to four year period provide for a more reliable basis for making major decisions to change production or management practices. 13

4 Evalua tion of Cotton Varieties on Dryland Farming Conditions in Nueces County Kocurek Farms 2002 NUECES COUNTY Harvey L. Buehring and Michael W. Potter, County Extension Agent-Ag., Demonstration Assistant-Ag. respectively SUMMARY: Three of the twenty eight varieties evaluated in this trial produced yields over 900 pounds of lint per acer without irrigation under some very dry early season growing conditions. A number of the full-season varieties were able to continue setting fruit following early July rains while many of the short and mid season maturity varieties had reached cut-out did not continue to set additional fruit. These environmental conditions may be responsible for the higher than expected micronaire readings for some varieties. Fiber Max 989, Phytogen 355, Fiber Max 832B and Delta Pine 491 were top yielding varieties at this test site. OBJECTIVE: To determine the adaptation, production potential and economic returns from new and commercially popular varieties produced under dryland farming conditions in Nueces County, Texas. MATERIALS and METHODS: Twenty eight commercially available cotton varieties were evaluated at this test site. Surface moisture was dry but good deep moisture was present at planting. Moisture for germination at the seeding depth was marginal in some locations resulting in moderate skips in the final plant stand. Planting was accomplished with two 12 row John Deere MaxEmerge II vacuum planters. Yield data was collected by hand harvest of three replications of a 1/1000 acre site in each variety plot. Planting Date: March 18, 2002 Harvest Date: August 1 & 2, 2002 AGRONOMIC DATA Soil Type: Victoria Clay Plot Length/Width: 17.6' Base Fertility: 300# S + 2 Zn Herbicide: 1 1/4 lb Prowl Plot Size (ac): 1/1000 ac. Previous Crop: Corn RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Table 1 on he following page provides fiber quality and lint yield data with varieties ranked from highest to lowest per acre lint yields. The average yield at this test site was 772 lint pounds per acre. The FiberMax 832 variety was used as the comparison standard at this site. It produced an average of 817 pounds of lint across five locations in the field with a variation of 136 pounds of lint across the field. 14

5 TABLE 1. Fiber Quality and Yield of Lint Pounds Per Acre, Kocurek Farms, 2002 Rank Company Variety Mic Length Strength % T/O Lb/Ac 1 Bayer FM Phytogen Bayer FM 832 B Deltapine Douglass King 212 ct Deltapine 555 BR Syngenta N Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Syngenta N Douglass King 310 ct Paymaster Deltapine 436 RR STOCS Texas 28 R STOCS Texas Stoneville 4892 BR Bayer FM 989 BG/RR Paymaster 1199 RR Stoneville BXN 49B STOCS Texas 24 R Deltapine Delta Pearl Stoneville 4793 R STOCS Texas Bayer FM STOCS Texas 30 R Deltapine 449 BR Deltapine 20 B AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW

6 TABLE Variety Kocurek 2002 Compa ny Variety Mic Length Strength %T.O. 2: Tester Summary, Farms Lb/Ac Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW 136 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The Nueces County Agricultural Extension Office would like to thank Tom and Rick Kocurek for providing the land, equipment, labor and time required to conduct this demonstration. DISCLAIMER CLAUSE: Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M University is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment does not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary. Results obtained from local trials conducted over a three to four year period provide for a more reliable basis for making major decisions to change production or management practices. Evaluation of Lint Quality and Yield Performance of Commercial Cotton Varieties and Advance Experimental Cotton Cultivars Under Dryland Production Conditions in Nueces County, Texas. Morris Farms 2002 NUECES COUNTY Harvey L. Buehring, Shane A. Browning and Michael W. Potter, County Extension Agent-Ag., County Extension Agent- 4-H, Demonstration Assistant-Ag. respectively 17

7 SUMMARY: A 772 lint pound average was produced from the twenty-nine varieties and experimental lines evaluated at this test site. Despite a very dry spring growing season, three varieties in this trial produced lint yields greater than 900 lint pounds per acre on this sandy loam test site. Top yielding varieties included Stoneville s STV 4793R and BXN 49B while experimental lines from the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station designated as 96-WD-18 and 96-WD-22 produced the third and fourth highest yields. OBJECTIVE: This demonstration was conducted in order to evaluate 25 cotton varieties including commercially available lines and experimental cultivars to determine their adaptation to Nueces County s dryland farming conditions. This demonstration provides the opportunity to evaluate varieties marketed in the area, with new and experimental materials to evaluate their performance in a side-by-side planting. MATERIALS and METHODS: The test plot was planted on March 11, 2002 with a 24 row John Deere Max Emerge air planter on 30" row spacing. FiberMax 958 was planted across the field as a test standard to determine field variation. The plot was harvested with 6 row pickers and seed cotton was weighed in the field with an electronic weigh wagon. Samples were collected from each variety to determine percent lint turnout and fiber characteristics. Seed cotton samples were ginned in small 10-saw gin stands and lint samples were sent to the International Textile Center in Lubbock, Texas for HVI fiber measurements AGRONOMIC DATA Planting Date: March 11, 2002 Soil Type: Willacy Fine Sandy Loam Harvest Date: August 5 & 6, 2002 Base Fertility: 100 lbs units NH 3 Herbicide: 2 qts. Prowl Plot Length/Width: 540' X 15' wide Plot Size (ac): acre Previous Crop: Grain Sorghum RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Fiber quality data and lint yields on a pounds per acre basis in shown in rank order by yield in Table 1 that follows. FiberMax 958 was used as the comparison standard. The results for the five testers are shown in Table 2. Okra leaf varieties were omitted from this location due to proximity of a seed production plot. TABLE 1: Experimental Cotton Varieties, Morris Farms 2002 Rank Company Variety Mic Length Strength %T/O Lb/Ac 1 Stoneville STV 4793 R Stoneville STV BXN 49 B TAMCOT 96 WD TAMCOT 96-WD Deltapine DP 555 BR Syngenta N2429 C Stoneville STV 4892 BR Douglass King dk 212 CT Phytogen PSC Paymaster PM 1199 RR

8 11 Deltapine DPL Bayer FM Bayer FM Deltapine DP Paymaster PM 1218 BR STOCS Texas 30 R Deltapine DP 436 RR Deltapine Delta Pearl Bayer FM 991 RR MAR 53 B Deltapine DP 20 B Bayer FM 989 BG RR STOCS Texas STOCS Texas Douglass King dk 310 CT MAR 269 M Syngenta N2387 C STOCS Texas 28 R STOCS Texas 24R AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW 204 TABLE 2: Tester Variety Summary, Morris Farms 2002 Company Variety Mic Length Strength %T/O Lb/Ac Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW

9 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The Nueces County Agricultural Extension Service would like to thank Mark & Lloyd Morris, Scott Frazier, Steve Williams at Morris Farms for providing the land, equipment, labor and time required to conduct this demonstration. Thanks is also expressed to those seed companies and their representatives who furnished the varieties and experimental lines evaluated at this site. DISCLAIMER CLAUSE: Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M University is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment does not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary. Results obtained from local trials conducted over a three to four year period provide for a more reliable basis for making major decisions to change production or management practices. 20

10 COTTON VARIETY ADAPTATION DEMONSTRATION Perry Foundation NUECES COUNTY: Harvey L. Buehring and Michael W. Potter, County Extension Agent-Ag., Demonstration Assistant-Ag. respectively SUMMARY: Dry seed bed condition at planting made stand establishment difficult at this test site. June rains greatly benefitted the test site. Deltapine 555 BR, DP 491, FiberMax s 966 and 958 all produced excellent yields based on hand harvest yield sampling. Table 1 provides fiber data and lint yields. OBJECTIVE: This trial is conducted to determine which of the new experimental lines have the best yield potential and climate adaptation to the lower Coastal Bend region. MATERIALS and METHODS: The trial was planted in twelve row strips with a double disk opening planter on flat prepared seed bed. The test plot was harvested by hand over a two day period. Samples of the seed cotton were ginned on a 10 saw mini-gin and lint samples were submitted for HVI fiber analysis. Planting Date: March 16, 2002 Harvest Date: August 7 & 8, 2002 Base Fertility: Zn Herbicide: 2 1/4 pints Prowl AGRONOMIC DATA Soil Type: Victoria Clay Plot Length/Width: 17.6' Plot Size (ac): 0.001/ac. Previous Crop: Sorghum RESULTS and DISCUSSION: This test location had very minimal early season planting moisture but good subsoil moisture. Stand emergence was erratic but the heavier soils on the north end of the field produced an acceptable stand for evaluation. The rain in June and July were very timely and allowed for excellent fruit retention. Insect pressure was very low. The plot only received two applications during the dry early season to control aphids, thrips and fleahoppers. Yield samples were obtained from the heavier and more productive soil sites on the north end of the field. Three uniform sites of 1/1000 of an acre in six were selected for hand harvest evaluations. The average lint yield from the sample sites provide data for lint yield determinations. Table 2 shows yield comparison for the 4 checks that were placed across the field. 21

11 TABLE 1: Variety, Perry Foundation 2002 Rank Company Variety Mic Length Strength %T/O Lb/Ac 1 Deltapine 555 BG Deltapine Bayer FM Bayer FM STOCS Texas 24 R Bayer FM 832 Cruiser Bayer FM 989 BG/RR Deltapine Delta Pearl Stonveville STV 4793 RR Paymaster 1218 BG/RR Bayer FM 832 B Phytogen PSC STOCS Texas STOCS Texas Bayer FM Douglass King dk AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW 957 TABLE 2: Tester Variety Summary, Perry Foundation 2002 Company Variety Mic Length Strength %T/O Lb/Ac Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM Bayer FM AVERAGE: POUNDS PER ACRE VARIATION FOR TESTERS FROM HIGH TO LOW

12 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The Nueces County Agriculture Extension Office would like to thank the Perry Foundation and Mr. Andy Perry for providing the land, equipment, labor and time required to conduct this demonstration. We appreciate too the efforts of David Fuentes and Marcos Palacios for their help in planting, cultivating and harvesting this crop. DISCLAIMER CLAUSE: Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M University is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment does not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary. Results obtained from local trials conducted over a three to four year period provide for a more reliable basis for making major decisions to change production or management practices. 23

13 Economic Analysis and Defoliation Effects of Chemical Harvest Aids in Treatments to Cotton Claude Otahal Farms 2002 Nueces County Harvey L. Buehring, Michael W. Potter, County Extension Agent-Ag, Demonstration Assistant-Ag.respectively SUMMARY: Five of the twenty treatments for cotton defoliation evaluated at this test site produced greater leaf drop at eleven days following treatment than the comparison standard which was Dropp 50WP at 0.2 pounds per acre with 1% non-ionic surfactant added to the water solution. The combinations with Ginstar at 3 ounces per acre plus Dropp 50WP at 0.05 pounds per acre produced 3.5% better leaf drop at 11 days following treatment at a product cost that resulted in a savings of $5.80 per acre. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate various combinations of harvest aid chemical and spray adjuvants to determine the most cost effective treatments that provide the highest degree of leaf drop and mechanical harvest readiness. Coastal Bend area cotton producers do not have the natural occurrence of frost at the end of the season to aid in terminating growth and drying plants for mechanical harvest. Harvest aid chemical applications are a necessity. They can add significantly to the cost of production. Therefore producers need information on the most cost effective treatments that provide the highest degree of leaf drop and mechanical harvest readiness. MATERIALS and METHODS: The application of all harvest aid chemical treatments were made with a Lee Spider plot sprayer rig using a 5 row boom. The crop maturity stage at time of defoliation application was 72% open bolls. Five row strips 150 feet long were sprayed with each treatment material within a 90 minute time span. Evaluations were made seven and eleven days after treatment by three individuals independently rating each plot. AGRONOMIC DATA Application Date: July 15, 2002 Evaluation Dates: July 22 &, 2002 Cotton Variety: FM 832 Avg. Plant Height: 25" Soil Moisture: Excellent Air Temp:78 % Open Boll at Application: 72% Nozzel Type: Turbo TeeJet Wind Speed: 5 1/2 mph Wind Direction: East Plot Size: 5 rows wide Spray Volume Applied: psi Plot Length: 150' Plot Width: 12.5' (5-30" rows) RESULTS and DISCUSSION: Twenty chemical defoliation treatments were evaluated in this trial. The performances achieved by these treatments were compared with that of Dropp 50WP applied at 0.2 lbs. per acre with 1% non-ionic surfactant in a water carrier solutions which has long been a standard defoliation 24

14 treatment recommendation in South Texas. Five of the twenty treatments in this trial produced results with numerically higher % defoliation than that of the comparison standard ( lbs./ac + 1% non-ionic surfactant). The top ranked treatments were combinations of Ginstar at 3 oz. Per acre plus Dropp 50WP at 0.05 lbs/ac. The cost for product use in this combination treatment ran $7.01 per acre. This treatment produced excellent defoliation results at 11 days following treatments while producing a $5.80 per acre savings when compared to the cost of the standard treatment. The experimental liquid formulation of Dropp, which is not available commercially, produced a comparable % leaf drop at a comparable rate of active ingredients to that of the standard Dropp 50 WP formulation. The use of Hasten, a seed oil based additive with a surfactant in its formulation was also evaluated in this trial. This additive improved % leaf drop 11 days after treatment by 2 to 21/2 percentage points for combinations involving Dropp while reducing leaf drop by as much as 4 percentage points when used in combination with Ginstar. These results are consistent with those from previous trials which indicate Ginstar with additions of non-ionic surfactants, crop or seed oil concentrates or silicon and silicon combination additives have slightly lower ratings than Ginstar and water alone. The performance ratings at 7 and 11 days after treatment and the % of plants with regrowth present at 14 days after treatment are shown in Table1 that follows. TABLE 1: Defoliation Treatment Cost and Ratings, Otahal Farms 2002 Plot # Treatments Product Formulation Rate/Ac 1 Dropp 50 WP (Std.) + N.I. Surfactant 0.2 1% % Def 7 *DAT %Def 11 DAT Regrowth 14 DAT Terminal(%) / Base Cost($)/ Ac $ Dropp (Liquid)+ Hasten 3 Dropp 50 WP + Hasten 4 Dropp 50 WP + Hasten 5 Dropp 50 WP + DEF 1.92 oz/ac 16 oz/ac lb/ac 16 oz/ac lb/ac 8 oz/ac 0.1 lb/ac 1 pt/ac N/A $ $ $ Ginstar (no additives) 6 oz/ac $ Ginstar + Hasten 8 Dropp 50 WP + Ginstar 9 Dropp 50 WP + Ginstar + Cayuse Plus 10 Dropp 50 WP(Std.) + Hasten 5 oz/ac 4 oz/ac 0.05 lb/ac 3 oz/ac 0.05 lb/ac 3 1% 0.2 lb/ac 8 oz/ac $ $ $ $

15 11 Finish + Ginstar 12 Dropp 50 WP + Prep (ethephon) 13 Cyclone Max + Cayuse Plus 14 Ginstar + Cotton Quick 15 DEF + Finish 16 Dropp + DEF + Hasten 17 Dropp +Finish 16 oz/ac 3 oz/ac 0.1 lb/ac 1 pt/ac 5 1% 3 oz/ac 3 pt/ac 8 oz. 16 oz. 0.1 lb 1 pt. 8 oz. 0.2 lb 8 oz $ $ $ $ $ $ $ Finish 32 oz $ Prep +Ginstar + Hasten 20 Ginstar +Prep 21 Dropp 50 WP (Std.) + N.I. Surfactant *DAT=Days after Treatment 16 oz. 5 oz. 8 oz. 5 oz. 1 pt % $ $ $12.81 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Thanks goes to Claude Otahal for allowing this trial to be conducted on his farm on FM 892 and the intersection of FM 2826 approximately 2 miles east of HWY. 77. This location allowed area farmers and consultants the opportunity to readily view the results of these treatments. Special thanks is extended to Gary Schwarzlose with Bayer for providing the application spray equipment as well as many of the products used in this trial. DISCLAIMER CLAUSE: Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas A&M University System is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment do not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary. Results obtained from local trials conducted over a three to four year period provide for a more reliable basis for making major decisions to change production or management practices 26

16 COMPARISON OF CRUISER AND TEMIK ON FIBERMAX 832 COTTON Jon Prince Farm and Texas Agricultural Experiment Station 2002 Nueces County Roy D. Parker, Harvey L. Buehring, and Michael W. Potter Extension Entomologist, County Extension Agent, and Demonstration Assistant, respectively Corpus Christi and Robstown, Texas SUMMARY: Granular in-furrow applied Temik, Cruiser seed treatment, and untreated cotton were compared on FM 832 variety cotton. FiberMax 832 seed from the same source was planted at 2 locations. Arthropod numbers were relatively low and few statistical differences were observed in thrips, aphid, or mite numbers. More mites were generally observed in Cruiser treated cotton at both locations. Statistical differences were not observed in production factors at either location. It may be noteworthy that, numerically, more lint was produced in Temik and Cruiser treated cotton by both hand and machine harvest on the Prince Farm. The numerical increase at the Prince Farm location equaled our long term finding of lb/acre lint increase with at-planting insecticide treatments. OBJECTIVE: The experiments were conducted to compare the response of FiberMax 832 variety cotton to Temik and Cruiser systemic insecticides. MATERIALS/METHODS: FiberMax 832 variety cotton seed from the same source was planted on the Jon Prince Farm Mar 28 and at the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station Meany Annex on Mar 21. Test 1, Jon Prince Farm. The Experiment was planted with a 12-row Kinse model 3600 planter, but only the outside 4 rows on each side of the planter were used for the field study. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 3 replications of each treatment. Temik 15G (4 oz/1000 row ft) and Cruiser 5FS (7.6 oz/cwt seed), and untreated cotton were planted in 4-row wide by 1,089 ft long plots. Rows were spaced on 30-inch centers. Corn had been grown on the site during the previous season. The clay loam soil (21% sand, 40% silt, and 39% clay) contained 1.2% organic matter with an 8.1 ph. Soil moisture at the surface on the planting date was limited, and soil temperature was 77 F. Fertilizer applied was 250 lb/acre of S-2 Zn. Herbicide consisted of Prowl 3.3 EC (2.0 qt/acre). Test 2, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. The experiment was planted with a research cone planter set on 38-inch centers, and each plot was 4 rows wide by 40-ft long. Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Treatments consisted of Temik 15G (4.0 oz/1000 row ft) applied through Gandy electric driven boxes into the seed furrow, Cruiser 5FS (7.6 oz/cwt seed), and untreated cotton. Cotton had been planted on the site during the past 2 seasons (lack of rotation and drought severely limited crop production potential). The clay loam soil (43% sand, 21% silt, and 36% clay) at 7.8 ph contained 0.9% organic matter. Herbicide consisted of Treflan 4 lb/gal (1.0 qt/acre) applied Jan 7 and incorporated 2 times. Cotton-Pro 4 lb/gal (1.5 pints/acre) and Dual Magnum 27

17 7.62 lb/gal (1.25 pints/acre) were applied Mar 26. Fertilizer applied was on Jan 11. Data Collection. Five plants were obtained from the center rows in each plot at the 4-leaf stage (27 DAP on Apr 24) and 5-leaf stage (32 DAP on Apr 29) at the Prince Farm and at the 4-leaf stage (28 DAP on Apr 18) and 6-leaf stage (36 DAP on Apr 26) at the Experiment Station. These plants were placed in 70% ethyl alcohol for future examination for thrips, aphids, and mites. Plants were washed, liquid was filtered, and arthropods were counted under a microscope. Cotton was harvested on the Prince Farm by hand (Aug 12) and machine stripper (Aug 17). Hand harvest consisted of 3 locations in the center rows of plots (17.4 ft/site). Numbers of plants, green bolls and harvested bolls were counted. Seed cotton was processed on a 10-saw Eagle laboratory gin. Entire plots were harvested on the Prince Farm with a commercial stripper and weighed on an electronic scale. Seed cotton samples were obtained and ginned as above for lint percentage to calculate lint yield. Cotton was hand picked at the Experiment Station site on August 3 from ft row in each plot. Seed cotton was processed as described above. RESULTS/DISCUSSION: Arthropod infestations at both locations were relatively light, with none exceeding established treatment thresholds (Tables 1-2). On the Prince Farm, there was a strong trend for fewer thrips on both inspection dates (27 and 32 DAP) in Cruiser and Temik treated cotton. Aphid numbers were variable and greater numbers of mites with significantly more in the Cruiser treatment (32 DAP) were observed on the Prince Farm. At the Experiment Station site (Table 2), significantly fewer thrips were observed in the Cruiser treatment 28 DAP, but by 36 DAP the differences were not apparent. Overall, more mites were observed in Cruiser treated cotton at both locations, but only one time (Prince Farm 32 DAP) were these differences statistically significant. Statistical differences were not found in cotton production factors measured at either location (Tables 3-4). It is interesting to note that, with one exception, yields were numerically greater in Cruiser and Temik treated cotton (41 lb/acre average). Given the low infestation levels and lack of statistical difference, we must conclude that no clear cut case could be made for or against the use of the planting time insecticides. Table 1. Systemic insecticide effects on early season arthropods on cotton, Jon Prince Farm, Nueces County, TX, Number/5 plants on indicated days after planting a Insecticide (rate) Plants (1000's/acre) Thrips Aphids Mites Temik 15G (4.0 oz/1000 ft) Cruiser 5FS (7.6 oz/cwt seed) 44.8 a 0.3 a 1.7 a 0.7 a 5.0 a 0.7 a 0.7 b 49.2 a 0.0 a 4.3 a 0.0 a 12.0 a 5.7 a 10.3 a Untreated 41.4 a 9.0 a 13.7 a 7.0 a 11.7 a 3.0 a 1.0 b LSD (P = 0.05) NS NS NS NS NS NS 6.54 P > F Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different by ANOVA. a Plant growth stage 4/24 = 4-leaf and 4/29 = 5-leaf or 27 and 32 days after planting, respectively. 28

18 Table 2. Systemic insecticide effects on early season arthropods on cotton, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Meaney Annex, Nueces County, TX, Number/5 plants on indicated days after planting a Insecticide (rate) Plants (1000's/acre) Thrips Aphids Mites Temik 15G (4.0 oz/1000 ft) Cruiser 5FS (7.6 oz/cwt seed) 34 a 15.5 a 21.5 a 1.5 a 9.3 a 53 a 5 a 38 a 5.0 b 15.3 a 5.0 a 2.0 a 80 a 278 a Untreated 39 a 18.8 a 20.8 a 10.5 a 16.3 a 110 a 188 a LSD (P = 0.05) NS 8.22 NS NS NS NS NS P > F Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different by ANOVA. a Plant growth stage 4/18 = 4-leaf and 4/26 = 6-leaf or 28 and 36 days after planting, respectively. Table 3. Production from Temik and Cruiser treated cotton, Jon Prince Farm, Nueces County, TX, Insecticide (rate) 1000's/acre Yield (lb lint/acre) Bolls/ Green bolls Harvested bolls lint lb Hand pick Stripper Temik 15G (4.0 oz/1000 ft) Cruiser 5FS (7.6 oz/cwt seed) 7.8 a 261 a 226 a 1154 a 958 a 4.2 a 252 a 224 a 1126 a 924 a Untreated 5.6 a 237 a 224 a 1058 a 913 a LSD (P = 0.05) NS NS NS NS NS P > F Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different by ANOVA. 29

19 Table 4. Production from Temik and Cruiser treated cotton, Texas Agricultural Experiment Station, Meaney Annex, Nueces County, TX, Insecticide (rate) Green bolls 1000's/acre Harvested bolls Bolls/ lint lb Yield (lb lint/acre) Temik 15G (4.0 oz/1000 ft) Cruiser 5FS (7.6 oz/cwt seed) 1.8 a 475 a 268 a 475 a 1.3 a 516 a 262 a 516 a Untreated 2.8 a 482 a 264 a 482 a LSD (P = 0.05) NS NS NS NS P > F Means in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different by ANOVA. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Thanks are extended to Jon Prince for his interest, time, land and labor in conducting the experiment. We also appreciate the help of Rudy Alaniz and Mike Hiller, Demonstration Assistants in conducting these studies. 30