Category Archives: Cotton

Cotton yield potential and planting date

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With the majority of our cotton acreage yet to be planted, many have asked how late should I plant?  To answer that question, you must estimate current lint yield potential.  Dr. Shawn Butler, who recently finished his PhD in the UT Cotton Agronomy Program, compiled data from 10 field trials in Tennessee, Mississippi and Missouri to assist those interested in estimating lint yield potential based on planting date and plant population (not seeding rate, but actual plants emerged per acre). The figure above was generated with that data.

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Reports of freeze/frost damage to wheat becoming more common

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Reports of blanks in wheat heads began trickling in last week and by this week became common.  The impacted areas appear to run northeast from Hardeman/Fayette Counties through Madison county and into Henry County.  The injury I’ve observed has ranged from light to severe, with the worst injury appearing on acres that were planted in early October.  From the windshield, the injury will likely not be noticeable; at a distance, the wheat may simply appear to be maturing rapidly (see image above).  Estimated yield loss from the picture above equaled 40%.  Continue reading


Moth Trapping Data

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Corn earworm (bollworm) moth

A reminder that moth trapping data are updated weekly at http://www.utcrops.com/BlogStuff/2020MothTrappingData.pdf, and you can also access these data on the Quick Links of this site.  Pheromone-baited traps are run for corn earworm (bollworm), tobacco budworm, and southwestern corn borer.

Currently, moth trap catches are generally low, as typically observed this time of year.


Management of Grass Escapes from Paraquat Burndown

Junglerice recovering from paraquat burndown

Recent burndowns that are targeting Palmer amaranth with paraquat are working quite well on that weed.  Unfortunately, that is not the case on some grass weeds like barnyardgrass, junglerice and crabgrass.  Once those grasses get 4” or more in height paraquat often struggles to provide good control. Continue reading


Cotton Seedling Diseases: Getting to the ‘Root’ of the Problem

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So far, the cotton growing season in Tennessee has been a little on the cool side with highs in the mid 60’s for most days and typically dropping into the lower 40’s at night. In addition to cooler temperatures, there has also been frequent rain fall. These two factors could potentially play into cotton seedling disease development. Continue reading


Dicamba Application Best Managment Practices

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Wet and cold with more rain in the forecast. Ugg! That sums up our spring planting season to date. Hopefully, next week, we will get our break and can get a good bit done in the field. When that time comes, please remember to use best management practices applying all herbicides but particularly dicamba containing products! Continue reading


Results of UT Studies on Reasons for Junglerice Becoming a Major Pest in Tennessee Xtend Cotton and Soybean Acres

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Junglerice Escaping: Glyphosate+Engenia /fb Glyphosate+Engenia+Clethodim

The results of some studies UT Extension has done to try to determine why junglerice has become a major weed pest in Tennessee Xtend cotton and soybean acres has provided some insights. This research was in-part supported by the Tennessee Soybean Promotion Board and from Cotton Incorporated. Continue reading