Category Archives: Irrigation

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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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19 May 2016

Milan No-Till Field Day Set for July 28

19 May 2016
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2016No Till Logo Finalhigh resMILAN, Tenn. – UT AgResearch will host the Milan No-Till Crop Production Field Day on Thursday, July 28, 2016 at the AgResearch and Education Center at Milan. The event will offer 40 research-based presentations. Sessions will cover best management strategies for no-till crop production, including nutrient enhancement, water use, new technologies in pest control and advancements in plant breeding.

The event is free and open to the public. Gates open at 6 a.m. Presentations and an agricultural industry trade show begin at 7 a.m. The field day will conclude at 2 p.m.

A schedule, a list of presentation topics, and information on pesticide recertification points as well as Certified Crop Advisor CEUs are available at http://milan.tennessee.edu/MNTFD. Individuals are also encouraged to follow the event on social media platforms using the hashtag #MilanNoTill.

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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 →

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