Specialists Speaking
Ben McKnight
TEXAS
As I write this on March 10, dry conditions are still prevalent across most of Texas. Currently, 98% of the state is either abnormally dry or in some form of drought and 50% of the state is experiencing severe drought conditions or worse. Hopefully by the time you are reading this, much-needed precipitation will have occurred to replenish soil moisture across the state.
As we get close to planting, I encourage growers to factor in soil temperature in addition to the extended weather forecast. I recommend not planting when soil temperature at a 4-inch depth is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Holding off until soil temperature at a 4-inch depth is in the mid- to upper-60s can further speed up the rate of successful germination if adequate soil moisture is present. A great tool growers can utilize to take some of the guesswork out of making a planting timing decision is the Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator found at https://products.climate.ncsu.edu/ag/cotton-planting/. Additionally, ensuring that planting equipment is working properly and maximizing consistent seed placement can assist in achieving a successful plant stand.
Cool, early season temperatures can slow down cotton growth and development, making the young plants more susceptible to early season pests including thrips. Varieties with ThryvOn offer protection against early season thrips pressure, but if growers are planting non-ThryvOn varieties, insecticide seed treatments can provide protection against thrips until cotton reaches the two true-leaf growth stage. ∆
Ben McKnight
TEXAS
