There has been little action as far as insect across the state in the last couple weeks. The biggest issue has been excessive rainfall – either drowning out stands or preventing planting. With another round of storms moving through this weekend, we are hoping it will be the last and that storms will be spotty instead of widespread.
The Extension cotton team has been putting out information
on how to manage late planted cotton. The plan of attack will change as you
move from south to north. At the end of the day, the decision will have to come
down to a farm-to-farm decision. Consider the economics of reduced yield for
cotton compared to planting soybeans or leaving the ground fallow and make the
best decision possible.
Below are a few tips on managing late cotton:
1. Plant
the shortest season variety available. Earlier maturing varieties
(early or early-mid) typically set and mature bolls in a shorter time than full
to mid-season varieties.
2. If
planting about June 7 or 8 through the 15, plan for a yield goal of 850 pounds
(North Alabama). Manage the crop with this goal in mind. If that yield
goal does not at least break even, consider the economics of other crops, like
soybeans.
3. Reduce
nitrogen rates. A crop with a goal of 850 pounds does not need the
same inputs as a crop with 1,250-pound potential.
4. Consider
reducing seeding rates. Planting late in the window generally means
better conditions and a better stand, thus lower seeding rates (approximately
2.5 seed per foot) should provide the needed yield potential.
5. Manage
plant bugs aggressively pre-bloom. While the normal threshold is to
maintain 80% of the first position squares during the squaring season, farmers
cannot afford to lose any squares in late planted cotton. High square set
promotes earliness and is critical to achieve this goal. Be prepared to need
more plant bug applications than normal in a late crop.
6. Make
timely applications of plant growth regulators (PGR) as needed throughout the
season. PGR strategies in particular may need to be adjusted but
reaction should be made quickly when needed.
7. Make
timely insecticide applications as needed. Since there is a short
window to set the crop, growers cannot allow insects to delay maturity or cause
boll loss. During the blooming window, thresholds may not need to be changed if
growers are able to make timely applications. In situations where timeliness is
not achievable, thresholds may be reduced to lower the chances of loss.
For more details and in-depth discussion, listen to the most
recent episode of the Alabama Crops Report Podcast (link)
where members of the cotton team across the state provide insights and
information on the current situation.
As always, if we can ever be of any help, or if you would
like to provide input on the situation in your area, please don’t hesitate to
reach out to your local Extension Agent or myself (Scott Graham: 662-809-3368)
and Ron Smith (334-332-9501). 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.
