24
Aug
2014
All posts by Tyson Raper, Cotton & Small Grains Specialist
13
Aug
2014
Cotton and lightning
13
Aug
2014
I have visited several fields in the past few weeks to examine circular/slightly irregular areas characterized by wilt, severe necrosis and death. After visiting with several other specialists, it is our consensus that these injured areas were caused by lightning. Although no action can be taken to bring injured plants out of the stress, additional information on plant symptoms may help you properly diagnose the stress and reduce the amount of ‘flak’ directed at your sprayer operator. Continue reading
15
Jul
2014
2014 Growing Degree Days as of July 12
15
Jul
2014
Blooms are beginning to become easier to find in West TN cotton fields. It appears first bloom (the period in which 50% of plants have begun flowering) has arrived roughly 7-14 days behind schedule. Our plots here and around Jackson have definitely jumped in the past few days with warmer temperatures and moderately clear skies. Still, the 7 day forecast looks more like May. With that in mind, I’ve collected and graphed the growing degree days (no cut-off temp, base 60) in Jackson, TN for the past 14 years. Continue reading
09
Jul
2014
Foliar Fertilization Following Early-Season Stress
09
Jul
2014
I’ve fielded several questions over the past few days concerning applications of foliar fertilizers as a method of spurring stressed cotton to allow it to catch cotton grown under more-optimum conditions. Continue reading
30
Jun
2014
Cotton PGRs after a wet June
30
Jun
2014
Recent rains and warmer temperatures should result in very rapid plant growth over the coming weeks. For those who have not applied an early shot of a plant growth regulator (PGR), Continue reading