 |
Field and Forage Crops |
This past week of warm, dry weather has resulted in favorable conditions for significant cotton planting. Assuming that most cotton fields still have adequate moisture, many cotton producers can expect rapid stand emergence and good cotton seedling grow off conditions, assuming the warm weather and adequate moisture continues.
With May 10 to 15 (and later) planting, improved cotton grow off conditions often translate into a shorter time period that young cotton seedlings are vulnerable to thrips damage. In practical terms, a 3.5-pound rate of Temik in mid to late May might provide about the same degree of protection as our standard 5.0-pound rate on April-planted cotton. The seed treatments Gaucho and Cruiser may also come closer to providing enough thrips protection to avoid an automatic foliar treatment on this later-planted cotton.
On the other hand, producers must try to avoid further maturity delays from thrips damage to late-planted cotton. Therefore, late cotton planted with less Temik or with a seed treatment must be monitored carefully for both the small immature thrips and for the beginning of young, curly possum-eared leaves and/or stunted buds beginning at the expanded cotyledon to first true leaf stage.
These checks can be performed rather quickly, but the small seedlings should be inspected carefully. A hand lens can be a big help in locating these small thrips.
If one can find an average of about one immature thrips per true leaf per plant, or if any immature thrips are present in addition to curly leaves or stunting damage, a foliar treatment is probably needed justified until about the 5-leaf stage. Be aware that even rapidly growing cotton may be subjected to high thrips levels, even if for a shorter period of time.
So far, we have received few telephone calls about grasshoppers and cutworms on cotton. On the other hand, serious cotton planting just started in many areas of the state. Other pests like cotton aphids, spider mites, and plant bugs could start appearing in the next few weeks. On many farms, the latter three pests more often than not do not occur in economic (or treatable) numbers.
The initial 2004 cotton scouting school for Robeson, Scotland Hoke counties will be held in mid-June. Details will be provided in next week.
Employment and program opportunities are offered to all people regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability. North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and local governments cooperating.
Last modified on May 10, 2004 by Stephen J. Toth, Jr.