Shootin For 1 ½ Bale Dryland Cotton J. C. Banks Oklahoma State University
Secrets To High Dryland Yield Capable Variety Proper Fertility Control of Insects Management to Insure Good Fruit Set Make the Most of any Rainfall Growth Regulation if Needed Timing of Harvest Aid Applications Timely Harvest Luck! Where Preparation Meets Opportunity
Variety Type Semi-Determinate Picker/Stripper Roundup Ready Bollgard on Stronger Soils
Cotton Fertility Soil Test topsoil and subsoil Make sure you have 60 lbs. actual Nitrogen available per bale of anticipated yield Follow soil test recommendations for P and K
Scout and Spray if needed for Thrips Seed Treatment or in-furrow insecticide application will usually provide control Control of Insects
Control of Insects Spray for Fleahoppers at first pinhead square
Control of Insects Scout for Bollworms Bollgard cotton will usually eliminate the need for bollworm sprays
COTTON BOLLWORM
Management to Insure Good Early Fruit Set Commit to learning about crop management and insect control, and spend a set amount of time each week on the crop -- or hire a consultant Consultants should be up-to-date on modern management of cotton Attend national and regional cotton meetings to insure being current on latest management strategies Cotton that has a good early fruit set is, for the most part, self regulating.
Make the Most of Any Rainfall Do not till deep prior to planting If weeds are controlled, minimize cultivations during the growing season, especially during fruiting If you must cultivate, run as shallow as possible Limited Tillage/Residue Management Programs Maximize Moisture Conservation
Water Requirement of the Cotton Plant
Growth Regulation if Needed Dryland cotton will seldom need application of a growth regulator Irrigated cotton may not need a growth regulator if it has good early fruiting On highly fertile soils with adequate irrigation, an application of Pix at first bloom will often be recommended Do not apply Pix if cotton is water stressed
Advantages of Using Growth Regulators Helps Control Plant Height May Increase Fruit Set on Key Positions Increases Earliness Increases efficiency of stripper harvest Especially Important in Late Planted or Broadcast Cotton
Possible Disadvantages of Using Plant Growth Regulators Increases Need For Close Management May Cause Fruit Shed When Applied to Stressed Cotton In Dryland Cotton, Cost may not be Justified
Factors Influencing Need for and Use-Rate of Pix Square Set Boll Load Insect Damage Nitrogen Present in Soil Soil Moisture Height/Node Ratio Nodes Above White Flower
Prior to Bloom, Use Height/Node Ratio If Average Internode Length is 1.2 inches or greater, use 2-3 ounces of Pix at pin head to match head square If Average Internode Length is less than 1 inch, use of Pix may cause a yield decrease
Development of Fruiting Branches Vegetative Branches First Fruiting Branch Cotyledon Node Scars
After Bloom, Use Nodes Above White Flower Nodes above white flower should be highest at first bloom, and decrease approximately 1 node per week until cutout
Nodes Above White Flower Node 5 Node 6 Node 3 Node 4 Node 2 Node 1 First White Flower Node 0
After Bloom, Use Nodes Above White Flower Nodes above white flower should be highest at first bloom, and decrease approximately 1 node per week until cutout If NAWF = 8 or higher, Pix should be used at 8-12 ounces at first bloom if cotton is not (or will not be) water stressed in the next 7-10 Days
As the season progresses, more Pix will be required to get the same results. Late season applications are not usually cost effective
Timely use of Harvest Aids Defoliants and boll openers can be cost-effective on cotton with yield potential of ¾ bale per acre or greater Desiccants can usually be justified on cotton yielding less than ¾ bale per acre
Lint Yield Loss Caused by a Delay in Harvesting First Week = 18 lbs./a Four Weeks = 48 lbs./a Eleven Weeks = 72 lbs./a Ray & Minton TAES & USDA Lubbock, Texas
Cotton Quality Loss Caused by a Delay in Harvesting Average Reduction of 1/32 inch Staple Length in 6-7 Weeks Average Quality Reduction of One Grade in Five Weeks Reduction in Quality Due to Harvest Delay Costs Approximately $3.45 per acre per week Ray & Minton TAES & USDA Lubbock, Texas
Try to time harvest aid applications to coincide with the harvest operation
GOOD LUCK!!