All posts by Tyson Raper, Cotton & Small Grains Specialist

30 Dec 2020

2020 TN Cotton Variety Trial Results now available online

30 Dec 2020
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The 2020 Tennessee Cotton Variety Trial Results publication (PB 1742) is now available online.  Included within these results are nine large strip trials (CSTs) testing 15 XtendFlex commercial varieties, five large strip trials (CSTs) testing 5 Enlist commercial varieties, and six small plot trials (OVTs) testing 44 experimental and commercial varieties.  Continue reading →


11 Dec 2020

Preliminary 2020 Cotton CST Data released

11 Dec 2020
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Preliminary data from the 2020 TN Cotton CST Data is now available.  We are releasing an average table for the XtendFlex trials and the Enlist trials today.  We only tested the XtendFlex and Enlist varieties together in a handful of locations.  I will release the average tables from those locations later, along with results from each individual location.  Also, stay tuned for the OVT small plot trial data average table which includes 44 commercial and pre-commercial varieties.  The last of the OVT samples should gin during the first of next week. Continue reading →


01 Oct 2020

Defoliation Strip Trial Overview, insight to performance in cool conditions

01 Oct 2020
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On September 18th, we applied a defoliation strip trial in Gift, TN.  The field was 85% open with juvenile and mature leaves present.  As you likely recall, this was immediately before a cold snap.  Night temperatures for the next five days were 54, 55, 55, 59 and 57. In this blog, I describe the concoctions applied, share a brief video of the results 13 days after the initial application, and highlight a few important take-homes from the video. Continue reading →


24 Sep 2020

Defoliating in volatile weather conditions (is this the end of October?)

24 Sep 2020
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If you trust the forecast, volatile temperatures should increase over the weekend before again falling into the upper 40s by the middle of next week.  Thanks, 2020.  Unfortunately, we do not have great options after Sunday and fields in West Tennessee are wet.  This blog covers the mixes I’m running prior to Saturday afternoon, Sunday through mid-week and thoughts on whether or not that green, soft boll will mature before a freeze. Continue reading →


17 Sep 2020

Defoliation thoughts heading into a cold front

17 Sep 2020
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Defoliation became a little more complicated this week.  While we were lucky enough to miss the mid-week rain, the next few nights are going to be quite cold (upper 40s to low 50s) and it looks like it may be next weekend before lows reach the 60s again.  Changing conditions justify a change in rate and often a change in product.  In this blog, I highlight a few thoughts on building concoctions as we move through a pretty substantial shift in temperatures. Continue reading →


02 Sep 2020

2020 Cotton Tour VIRTUAL Videos now online

02 Sep 2020
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The 2020 Cotton Tour Videos are now available. Presentations covering variety performance, weed, pest and disease management, irrigation and other topics have been recorded and posted on the UT Crops YouTube channel.  You can access the entire Cotton Tour by following this link.  We will be highlighting individual videos in the coming weeks on this blog. Continue reading →


27 Jul 2020

Visual Symptoms: A Handy Tool in Identifying Nutrient Deficiency in Row Crops

27 Jul 2020
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Generally, a nutrient deficiency occurs as a result of low soil nutrient levels. However, prevailing environmental conditions, soil properties, and growth conditions may restrict nutrient uptake and induce deficiencies in crops even if soil nutrient levels are deemed sufficient for optimum yield. For example, low or high soil pH, soil compaction, and excessively wet or dry soil may prevent nutrient uptake. A handy diagnostic tool to identify nutrient deficiency in crops is via visual symptoms. In some instances, this tool may not provide a definite diagnosis of the nutrient status of the plant. Keep in mind that there are other conditions that are cable of inducing symptoms that closely resemble those of nutrient deficiencies. Visual symptoms should be corroborated with tissue and/or soil testing. Adequate knowledge of visual symptoms and tissue testing may help guide corrective actions in-season or preventive action in the following season to avoid yield loss.

Continue reading →