Specialists Speaking- Ken Legé
Ken Legé
TEXAS
Cotton growing conditions across much of the Texas High Plains and Southern High Plains have been favorable to date, supported by timely and widely distributed rainfall events coupled with relatively moderate summer temperatures. Unlike many recent seasons characterized by prolonged periods of triple-digit heat, this year has seen only intermittent episodes of extreme temperatures, helping to reduce crop stress and improve early season development.
While some localized areas have missed these rainfall events and experienced dryland abandonment, overall abandonment rates remain well below long-term regional averages. Isolated hail and wind events have occurred, but damage has generally been limited in scope and has not significantly affected regional crop prospects. In portions of the area south of Lubbock, stand establishment has been among the best observed in recent years. If current weather patterns persist and additional precipitation materializes, producers remain optimistic about the crop’s yield potential.
Across the region, much of the cotton crop entered the squaring stage in late June and early July, with first bloom expected in many fields by mid-July. The transition into bloom is a critical developmental period, as a substantial portion of the crop’s yield potential is determined during early reproductive growth. Effective irrigation management during this stage is essential for retaining fruiting sites and maximizing boll set. In fields with greater irrigation capacity or those receiving frequent rainfall, plant growth regulators (PGRs) may be necessary to maintain an appropriate balance between vegetative and reproductive growth. Conversely, dryland and fields with limited irrigation capacity may not indicate the need for PGR applications.
Although PGR use is a common management practice throughout West Texas cotton production systems, research conducted over the past decade has demonstrated that mepiquat chloride-based products are not universally required. Decisions regarding PGR applications should be based on multiple agronomic factors, including field history, available soil moisture, irrigation capacity, variety characteristics, fruit retention, projected weather conditions, and — most importantly — the crop’s current growth rate. One of the most reliable indicators of growth vigor is the internode length between the fourth and fifth mainstem nodes below the terminal. This measurement provides a practical assessment of plant growth status and can help guide PGR decisions.
Producers seeking additional guidance should consult the Texas A&M AgriLife publication Target Growth Rate and Considerations for PGR Applications in Cotton (https://legacy.research.agrilife.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/Target-Growth-Rate-and-Considerations-For-PGR-Applications-in-Cotton-SCSC2024-08.pdf), which outlines growth rate benchmarks and management considerations specific to West Texas conditions. Additionally, colleagues in the Mid-South Cotton Specialists Working Group recently published Plant Growth Regulator Use in Mid-South Cotton (https://news.utcrops.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/MSCSWG_PGR_Guide_2026.pdf), a comprehensive resource covering the physiological basis of PGR use and key management considerations. While recommended application rates and timings may differ from those typically used in West Texas production systems, many of the growth assessments and decision-making principles described in the guide have broad applicability across cotton-growing regions.
As the crop approaches bloom, many producers are appropriately focused on completing late-season weed management programs. However, finalizing fertility programs prior to peak bloom is equally important. Given the inherent production risks associated with West Texas’ semi-arid environment, many growers delay fertilizer investments until crop survival and yield potential become more certain. This strategy is understandable considering the region’s exposure to drought, hail, and other weather-related risks. Nevertheless, delaying nutrient applications too long can limit yield potential and reduce the crop’s ability to capitalize on favorable growing conditions.
In most production systems, soil-applied fertilizer remains the most effective means of meeting seasonal nutrient demands, with application timing typically ranging from pinhead square through peak bloom. While foliar nutrient applications can provide supplemental benefits under specific circumstances, they should generally be viewed as complements to — not replacements for — soil-based fertility programs. Furthermore, the effectiveness of foliar nutrient uptake declines substantially after peak bloom as leaf cuticles thicken and become less permeable, particularly in crops that have experienced periods of drought stress and elevated temperatures. Consequently, timely nutrient management remains an important component of preserving yield potential during the critical reproductive stages of cotton development.
Above: Pima cotton under subsurface drip irrigation in northern Glasscock County, Texas, planted in late April; left bottom: Subsurface drip irrigated cotton in Swisher County, Texas, planted in late May; bottom right: Dryland cotton in northern Martin County, Texas, planted in early June.
