All posts by Tyson Raper, Cotton & Small Grains Specialist

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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PMN_cottonfertility

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 →


06 Jul 2016

Updated sulfur recommendations for cotton

06 Jul 2016
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Tyson Raper and Frank Yin

ARTICLE OVERVIEW 

  • Sulfur deficiencies are starting to show up this year in TN cotton.
  • Deficiencies appear as uniform chlorosis of new growth, slight stunting
  • Soil applied applications of ammonium sulfate can still remedy the deficiency 
  • Late season deficiencies can be addressed with (2) applications of magnesium sulfate (Epsom salt)
  • UT currently recommends 10 lb S per ac for cotton
Ames Plantation, TN S plots
LEFT: New growth of sulfur deficient cotton will appear uniformly chlorotic (yellow) and may be stunted. This row received no S at planting. RIGHT: Applications of 10-20 lb S per acre have been shown to prevent the deficiency. This plot received 20 lb S at planting.

Sulfur (S) deficiencies are beginning to appear in some West TN cotton fields.  The image above was taken last week at Ames Plantation in a trial conducted by Dr. Frank Yin.  Although the soils at that location (Collins fine sandy loam) are coarser than our typical silt loam, I was surprised to see such a strong response to the nutrient by Continue reading →


04 Jul 2016

Managing cotton plant growth in 2016

04 Jul 2016
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blooms2016

Many fields in West TN reached first flower well-before the 4th.  I wouldn’t be surprised if over half of our acres will be blooming by the end of the week.  With rain and warm temperatures in the forecast, expect very rapid plant growth in areas which have adequate moisture as we move into flowering.  For those who have not applied an early shot of a plant growth regulator (PGR), you should consider doing so very soon.  Several points should be considered when attempting to regulate growth in 2016. Continue reading →


23 May 2016

Making the decision to replant in 2016

23 May 2016
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The 2016 window for planting cotton in Tennessee has been a mixed bag.  Warm weather in late April let soil temperatures reach 70 degrees in some areas but several cool spells, including one which might even be deemed a ‘blackberry winter’, quickly dropped soil ‎temperatures back into a more-marginal range.  Unfortunately, some areas also experienced packing rains followed by windy, dry conditions which led to crusting.  Most areas have remained wet enough to allow seedlings to lift through the crust and, in general, we appear to be at a better place in 2016 than we were in 2015 at this point in the season.  Still, several are having to decide whether or not to replant Continue reading →

24 Apr 2016

Cotton Planting Forecast

24 Apr 2016
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I’ve spoken with several who planted a few fields last week.  Soils have been a little cooler than we would prefer but it was hard to keep the planter at the shop with 60+ degree soil temperatures at 3” at 8 AM with warm temperatures in the forecast.  Moisture is currently not hard to find in most areas given you caught some of the showers Continue reading →