Weekly in-season Updates
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INFORMATION |
June 6, 2005 Talkin’ Cotton
Localized severe storms with high winds and hail continue to cause damage in our cotton growing areas. Last week, with cloudy and cooler than normal conditions, cotton growth did not advance much. Some cotton that looked good the week before developed seedling disease and required replanting. If all the cotton was not up when a heavy rain occurred, it is essential to use the rotary hoe as soon as possible. When evaluating hail damage, look at the terminal of the plant to find new growth. If the terminal is lost, the plant will use vegetative branches to build the plant. Cotton with four true leaves will have three vegetative branches below the terminal, and these three branches will each develop into a functional plant. Cotyledon cotton that loses its terminal will not develop into a plant. If you observe very large cotyledon leaves with no growth above, this is an indication of a lost terminal, and all energy that would have gone to upper plant development is going to the cotyledon leaves. Immediately following a hailstorm is not the best time to make an evaluation of the crop, it is usually too wet to get on the area for a few days anyway. At about three to four days following a hailstorm, look for a new leaf forming in the terminal of the plant. Many times you can observe a light green tinge (new growth) across the field when the light is right. Count plants with terminal growth, and if you can count 16,000 plants per acre on dryland or 20,000 plants on irrigated land and there are not many long skips on adjacent rows, the crop is normally worth taking to harvest. |