That’s kind of a dramatic title, but it is true that thrips are always present on seedling cotton at some level. We’ve finally have some cotton getting out of the ground. It is almost a given that this cotton was treated with imidacloprid (e.g., Gaucho, Aeris, Acceleron FI). Thiamethoxam-based seed treatments such as Cruiser or Avicta are no longer recommended in cotton because Continue reading
In my mind, the past winter was similar to last, with some colder than average conditions. Below is a repeat of an article last year discussing how winter weather affects insect populations. I added some comments, scoring my predictions. Continue reading
It seems inevitable that cotton acres will drop in 2015, perhaps to a record low. I believe the number one factor causing increased plant bug pressure is reduced cotton acres, concentrating similar numbers of plant bugs in fewer acres. Thus, I suspect tarnished plant bugs will continue to be a major factor in cotton. Plant bugs are an important but manageable problem. Below are a few bullet points to think about in advance of planting. Continue reading
The comments below were posted sometime ago, but with corn planting time upon us, I’ve updated some take home points. Continue reading
A new pest, the sugarcane aphid, made its first appearance in Tennessee sorghum in 2014. I’m hearing a lot of interest about increasing sorghum acreage this year, and this is a pest we need to think about in advance. Continue reading
With snow in the forecast, I hope you find some warmth in our hot-off-the-press 2015 Tennessee Cotton Quick Facts Publication (W 319) which is now available online. New this year are digital hyperlinks to all full-length UTIA publications. Simply click on the grey boxes or related QR codes describing the publication in which you are interested and your browser will do the rest. Keep losing your guide or tired of carrying paper guides around? Open this document with the reader on your mobile device (if Apple, your iBooks app) to have a digital copy at your fingertips at all times. Hyperlinks will still work!
Tyson Raper and Larry Steckel
During the 2014 growing season, the University of Tennessee Cotton Variety Testing program was given an opportunity to evaluate several of the new Monsanto Bollgard II® XtendFlex™ cotton varieties. Given the recent de-regulation of this trait, many may find this data of interest. (De-regulation of dicamba applications to these varieties is still pending.) Continue reading
The 2015 version of PB1768, Insect Control Recommendations for Field Crops, is now available online at UTcrops.com. Hard copies will soon be available and distributed at UT county and crop production workshops.