What are we currently finding in Alabama cotton fields? Plant bugs, both the tarnished and clouded species, have finally reached threshold or treatment levels in April planted fields that have not been sprayed. Some level of brown stink bugs can also be found in these same fields. A bug clean up spray would be advised for most cotton that is in the fourth or fifth week of bloom. Peak numbers of squares and bolls are currently at risk. Cotton planted after about May 10 missed most of the plant bugs this season. In central and south Alabama, there are very few plant bugs currently present in wild host or other crops. In other words, there are no more plant bugs in the landscape to migrate to cotton in 2017 in that region.
Between July 24 and 28, numerous field people from all areas of the state were contacted about escape bollworms on cotton with caterpillar technology. As of July 31, no none has reported any problems. We have conventional cotton on research stations in several areas of the state. Some level of bollworms and damage can be found on this cotton. The corn earworm flight from corn began about July 15 and has likely already peaked. Tobacco budworms will enter the mix during the month of August, but they will not be part of the "escape" situation in August. However, fieldmen should continue to monitor closely for escape bollworms. In Alabama, I would suggest we try the pyrethroid chemistry first if escapes are found.
Spider mites came into the picture about the third week of July in the Tenn. Valley area. Mites will likely show up in other fields statewide if we ever experience a 7-10 day period between rain events. Abamectin will provide the most economical control of mites. Whiteflies may occur in late season on our late maturing fields. If whiteflies are observed, I would recommend we use pyrethroid chemistry for stink bugs since Bidrin seems to aggravate the whitefly situation.
We will likely see stink bug numbers increase as we move into August and even September in our late maturing cotton. The southern green stink bug will make up a greater part of the population in coming weeks. This gives us the flexibility to choose either pyrethroid or phosphate chemistry. For weeks 3 through 6~7 of bloom, we recommend a 10% internal damage boll threshold for stink bugs.
Thus far in 2017, insects have not been a major limiting factor in Ala cotton production. Let's hope we can keep this trend going for several more weeks.
Showing posts with label yield. Show all posts
Showing posts with label yield. Show all posts
Monday, July 31, 2017
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Aphid numbers continue to build, while most insects numbers remain at moderate levels
Insect conditions have not changed greatly in the past week or so. Aphids have continued to build in more fields. All other insects are low to moderate levels (mostly sub-threshold). These include plant bugs (including a few clouded plant bugs coming into the mix), bollworms, tobacco budworms and stink bugs. Most growers do not have enough of a single species to apply controls for. The two biggest surprises at this point in the season are the low number of bollworms and the low number of stink bugs in most fields. Numerous fields of conventional cotton still have less than 2 bollworms per 100 plants. Boll damage to stink bugs is less than 10% in most fields.
Most of the state has had abundant thunderstorms for several consecutive weeks. Cotton yield prospects have improved greatly and, if conditions continue, numerous fields have two bale plus potential. The two biggest limitations we now have are fields with “skippy” stands and too much late maturing cotton.
Most of the state has had abundant thunderstorms for several consecutive weeks. Cotton yield prospects have improved greatly and, if conditions continue, numerous fields have two bale plus potential. The two biggest limitations we now have are fields with “skippy” stands and too much late maturing cotton.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Tarnished Plant Bugs Threatening Cotton Yields
Tim Reed, Extension Entomologist
June 21, 2011
Control measures for tarnished plant bugs (TPB’s) in the oldest cotton fields in north Alabama began two weeks ago and initial applications continue to be applied to later planted fields. Consultants report TPB pressure to be higher than normal than at this time last year and there is concern that some fields, especially older fields may require two TPB treatments. The cooler, wetter weather we are having this week in parts of Alabama will be favorable to TPB’s. The longer TPB treatments are postponed the more eggs are deposited by adult TPB’s which result in higher numbers of immature TPB’s present in late June and July. One consultant reports that TPB’s can presently be collected in a sweep net at any time of the day in north Alabama cotton fields but they tend to be more abundant on field edges. Some cotton fields in Montgomery county this week are also suffering 20% (Bt cotton threshold) or better pin head square loss due primarily to TPB damage and there could be control measures initiated in this central Alabama county this week. TPB’s are a much more serious pest for conventional cotton producers than for Bt cotton growers since all available chemicals that control adult plant bugs also significantly reduce beneficial insects/spiders. This increases the chances of a severe tobacco budworm infestation in the last half of June. Conventional cotton growers have a difficult time deciding on whether or not to spray for adult plant bugs in mid-June when they know it will be expensive to “fight” worms. Dry weather makes the decision even more difficult. Mississippi entomologists are reporting higher than normal numbers of tobacco budworm moths being collected in pheromone traps and budworm moths are now depositing low numbers of eggs on cotton in Montgomery county. Another concern for all cotton producers is the fear of spider mite populations increasing after TPB applications. Spider mites tend to appear in the same areas each year. Thus far a few north Alabama cotton fields have been treated with bifenthrin to help slow spider mites. Serious spider mite problems will require more expensive chemistry and consultants hope disease will take out the spider mites before more costly chemicals are required.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Cotton Insect Management, 2011
Points for Discussion in Coming Weeks:
1. Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology
2. Evolution of Bt Cotton - Various Genes Involved. How do they compare and what is in the future?
3. Phase Out of Temik. What will be the greatest impact?
4. Stink Bug Research Towards a More Rapid Survey Technique. Factors that influence external vs. internal stink bug boll damage.
5. New Damaging Insects: Plataspid (Kudzu) Bug, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Red-Banded Stink Bug
Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology
Results from 2010 Season and Conclusions:
Cotton Systems Trial
Wiregrass Research and Extension Center
Headland, AL
Cotton Systems Trial
Prattville Agricultural Research Unit
Prattville, AL
Cotton Systems Trial
E. V. Smith Research and Extension Center
Shorter, AL
Based on the results of these trials, this investigator would conclude that conventional cotton can be grown in Alabama.
However, the economics would vary greatly depending on the weather, severity of the insect season and location.
Furthermore, it would require much expertise in monitoring insect populations and selection of the appropriate chemistry for the target insect species present.
Bottom Line: 2011 may not be the season to cut input costs -- but instead to focus on maximizing yield.
1. Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology
2. Evolution of Bt Cotton - Various Genes Involved. How do they compare and what is in the future?
3. Phase Out of Temik. What will be the greatest impact?
4. Stink Bug Research Towards a More Rapid Survey Technique. Factors that influence external vs. internal stink bug boll damage.
5. New Damaging Insects: Plataspid (Kudzu) Bug, Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Red-Banded Stink Bug
Low Input System - Conventional vs. Technology
Results from 2010 Season and Conclusions:
Cotton Systems Trial
Wiregrass Research and Extension Center
Headland, AL
Variety/ Technology | Seed Cost | Technology Cost | Weed Control Cost | Foliar Insect Control Cost* | Yield # Seed Cotton/ac | Cost/lb Seed Cotton |
CT 210 | $10.00 | - | $37.50 | $16.00 | 2,813 | $0.023 |
PHY 440W | $21.97 | $18.00 | $37.50 | $16.00 | 2,789 | $0.034 |
DP 174RF | $23.89 | $36.81 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 2,916 | $0.037 |
DP 121RF | $23.89 | $36.81 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 2,724 | $0.040 |
DP 0912B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 3,230 | $0.044 |
PHY 375 WRF | $23.50 | $65.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 3,140 | $0.043 |
ST 5288B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 3,329 | $0.043 |
PHY 485 WRF | $23.50 | $65.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 3,110 | $0.044 |
DP 1034 B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 3,041 | $0.047 |
DP 1048 B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 2,784 | $0.051 |
PHY 565 WRF | $23.50 | $65.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 2,990 | $0.045 |
DP 0949 B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 2,940 | $0.048 |
50B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $31.00 | $16.00 | 2,633 | $0.054 |
Cotton Systems Trial
Prattville Agricultural Research Unit
Prattville, AL
Variety / Technology | Seed Cost | Technology Cost | Weed Control Cost | Foliar Insect Control Cost* | Yield # Seed Cotton/ac | Cost/lb Seed Cotton |
DP 491 UT | $10.00 | - | $43.60 | $8.00 | 1,710 | $0.036 |
DP 491 Sprayed | $10.00 | - | $43.60 | $16.00 | 1,896 | $0.037 |
DP 174R UT | $23.89 | $36.81 | $32.50 | $8.00 | 2,628 | $0.038 |
DP 174R Sprayed | $23.89 | $36.81 | $32.50 | $16.00 | 2,761 | $0.040 |
PHY 440W UT | $21.97 | $17.99 | $43.60 | $8.00 | 2,301 | $0.040 |
PHY 440W Sprayed | $21.97 | $17.99 | $43.60 | $16.00 | 2,339 | $0.043 |
DP 1050B2RF UT | $24.90 | $70.00 | $32.50 | $8.00 | 2,587 | $0.052 |
DP 1050B2RF Sprayed | $24.90 | $70.00 | $32.50 | $16.00 | 2,501 | $0.057 |
ST 5288 B2RF UT | $24.90 | $70.00 | $32.50 | $8.00 | 2,232 | $0.061 |
ST 5288 B2RF Sprayed | $24.90 | $70.00 | $32.50 | $16.00 | 2,150 | $0.067 |
PHY 375 WRF UT | $23.50 | $65.00 | $32.50 | $8.00 | 2,738 | $0.047 |
PHY 375 WRF Sprayed | $23.50 | $65.00 | $32.50 | $16.00 | 2,503 | $0.055 |
*Includes Application | ||||||
Cotton Systems Trial
E. V. Smith Research and Extension Center
Shorter, AL
Variety/ Technology | Seed Cost | Technology Cost | Weed Control Cost | Foliar Insect Control Cost* | Yield # Seed Cotton/ac | Cost/lb Seed Cotton |
DP 1050B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $43.50 | $8.00 | 1,850 | $0.08 |
DP 174RF | $23.89 | $36.81 | $43.50 | $8.00 | 1,990 | $0.06 |
PHY 440W | $28.22 | $21.11 | $43.50 | $8.00 | 2,067 | $0.05 |
DP 491 | $10.00 | − | $43.50 | $8.00 | 1,854 | $0.07 |
*Includes Application | ||||||
Variety/ Technology | Seed Cost | Technology Cost | Weed Control Cost | Foliar Insect Control Cost* | Yield # Seed Cotton/ac | Cost/lb Seed Cotton |
ST 5288B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $12.00 | $18.00 | 1,922 | $0.06 |
DP 1050B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $12.00 | $18.00 | 2,122 | $0.06 |
DP 0949B2RF | $24.90 | $70.00 | $12.00 | $18.00 | 2,280 | $0.05 |
PHY 565 WRF | $23.50 | $65.00 | $12.00 | $18.00 | 2,167 | $0.06 |
DP 174 RF | $23.89 | $36.81 | $12.00 | $61.00 | 1,963 | $0.07 |
PHY 440 W | $21.97 | $17.99 | $21.00 | $61.00 | 2,018 | $0.04 |
CT 210 | $20.00 | − | $21.00 | $61.00 | 2,155 | $0.05 |
*Includes Application | ||||||
However, the economics would vary greatly depending on the weather, severity of the insect season and location.
Furthermore, it would require much expertise in monitoring insect populations and selection of the appropriate chemistry for the target insect species present.
Bottom Line: 2011 may not be the season to cut input costs -- but instead to focus on maximizing yield.
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