All posts by Tyson Raper, Cotton & Small Grains Specialist

05 Oct 2016

Wrapping up harvest aid applications in 2016

05 Oct 2016
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We have been blessed with another great harvest season and it appears we may be able to finish harvest with little rain.  Here on the 5th day of Oct, I would guess the average cotton acre within the state has already received the first application of harvest aids and is very close to seeing a picker.  Even so, several acres have not been defoliated.  This has led many to call with concerns about the cooler temperatures in the forecast over the weekend and several have asked if it is simply time to defoliate based on calendar date.   Continue reading →


25 Sep 2016

Defoliation and boll opening under cooler conditions

25 Sep 2016
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With the exception of a few rainy days, we have had a very nice window for defoliation.  Unfortunately, the forecast for the beginning of this week (9/26-10/1) includes night temperatures in the low 50s and high 40s with daytime temperatures below 80F.  As night temperatures drop from 65F to 50F, remember that plant responses to defoliants and boll openers slow to a crawl; applications which seemingly blew bolls open within a day or two will now take much longer to work and some products will have almost no impact on boll opening or defoliation. Rates of defoliants and boll openers will have to be increased to compensate for the reduction in product efficacy noted at lower temperatures. For those contemplating a first or second shot this week there are several key points to keep in mind. Continue reading →


16 Sep 2016

2016 Cotton Defoliation Strip Trial in Lincoln County, TN

16 Sep 2016
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A defoliation strip trial was applied in Flintville, TN (Lincoln County) this afternoon (September 16th).   A treatment list can be found by clicking here.  There are three untreated rows on both sides of the trial.  Each treatment is 5 rows wide and signs have been placed in the center of each treatment (row 3).

Continue reading →


07 Sep 2016

2016 Mid-South Cotton Defoliation Guide

07 Sep 2016
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defolguideTennessee’s 2016 cotton crop is rapidly maturing and many of our acres will receive the first shot of defoliant in the next week.  There are many factors to consider in determining timing, products and rates.   In an effort to outline these decisions and provide harvest aid recommendations for the Mid-South, the 2016 Mid-South Cotton Defoliation Guide has just been updated and is now available online.   To access the guide, click the image above or the included link.  Please keep in mind that this was compiled as a regional guide and should be used in conjunction with your previous experiences. Continue reading →


31 Aug 2016

Cotton turning . . . too soon?

31 Aug 2016
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IMG_4307The call of the week (beyond target spot) has concerned cotton ‘turning’.  In the dictionary of cotton rhetoric, ‘turning’ refers to the shift in canopy color from dark green to shades of yellow and red, or senescence, which usually coincides with the second or third week of football season.  Over the past week, the crop has definitely made a turn towards finishing out the season .  . .  and kickoff for the first game is still a few days away. The general concern is this change has occurred much more rapidly and earlier than we would like.  So are we looking at premature senescence and yield penalties? Continue reading →


30 Jul 2016

Red leaves in cotton: Causes and implications

30 Jul 2016
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Tyson Raper, Heather Kelly and Frank Yin
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IMG_1778Observing canopy characteristics during the growing season is a good way to understand the plant’s response to its environment.  Occasionally, portions of the canopy may develop reddish-purple or red tones.  The synthesis of anthocyanin, the pigment which typically causes the reddening, is commonly increased after leaves are exposed to light following multiple abiotic and biotic stresses.  Continue reading →


13 Jul 2016

Managing Cotton Fertility; new Plant Management Network Presentation now available

13 Jul 2016
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Properly managing cotton fertility is an important step in maximizing the efficiency and productivity of all cotton production systems; mismanagement by either over- or under-applying a given nutrient can result in yield penalties and substantial increases in expenses.  This year has been no exception- K deficiencies are present in many West TN cotton fields (see adjacent image) and sulfur deficiencies are appearing sporadically as well (see July 6th 2016 article on our modified recommendations).  Although I’ve only seen a few areas which are currently deficient in N, it is a safe bet that the number of areas deficient in N and most other nutrients will increase as we move into boll fill.   Continue reading →