We are getting dry in a lot of areas across the state. A few
rains have popped up here and there, but much of our cotton needs a drink. The crop
also appears to be relatively late. I would say based on a lot of what I have
seen and heard from folks we probably have more cotton closer to “first leaf”
than “first square.”
The thrips situation picked up heavy in North Alabama, with
several applications in NE Alabama and the TN Valley this week but seems to
have subsided now. Several applications Reports in central Alabama have been a
mixed bag, some are needing to make spray while others have been able to live
with seed treatments or other at-plant controls. Most reports from south
Alabama have been that cotton is outgrowing thrips at this point.
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| Spider Mites building in cotton |
Something to keep an eye out for now is spider mites. We
have seen low levels of mites in cotton approaching pinhead square in central
Alabama and have heard about some in north Alabama as well. While populations haven’t
reached damaging levels yet, our current weather patterns have us in a spot
where mites should be considered when making management decisions. Abamectin is a good option and low to mid-labeled rates can be used in younger cotton.
 |
| Adult TPB in terminal |
The plant bug situation in Alabama has already begun. We
have heard of low levels of plant bugs in older fields in north Alabama and
sprays have already gone out in some south Alabama fields. The dry weather is
causing fleabane to play out and adult plant bugs will soon be on the move. As
cotton reaches the 7th node or so, we need to start running
sweep-nets and checking square retention weekly. Threshold is 8 bugs per 100
sweeps -or- to maintain at least 80% square retention. Remember that in
addition to feeding on pinhead squares, adult plant bugs are also depositing
eggs that will hatch out into immatures (nymphs) over the next 7-10 days. As
far as treatments, imidacloprid is a cost-effective option that provides “good
enough” control at the higher rates. Centric and bifenthrin (depending on resistance
levels in your location) are other options. Acephate is an option, but with how
dry we are in some areas I would be a little hesitant to go that route due to
the spider mite situation mentioned above. Remember that the label restricts
the use of Bidrin between pinhead square and first bloom.
We
have two more opportunities for scout schools on the calendar right now.
Tennessee Valley — Cotton and Soybean
June 13
Tennessee Valley Research and Extension Center
Belle Mina, Alabama
Agenda
Northeast Alabama — Cotton
June 22
McCord’s Fire Station #1
1150 County Road 157
Centre, Alabama
Agenda
For more information on thresholds and insecticide
recommendations, visit the Alabama Cotton IPM Guide (IPM-0415). To stay up-to-date on the Alabama
cotton insect situation, subscribe to the Alabama Cotton Shorts Newsletter, Alabama Crops Report Newsletter and Podcast, and the Syngenta Pest Patrol Hotline.
