Today’s cotton genetics hold great performance potential, but they still need to be managed diligently to reach the results they’re capable of. Here are some tips to help optimize your cotton crop.
1. Choose great seed.
It may sound obvious, but it’s one of the largest and most important decisions you make. Be sure to select the genetics that will best meet your yield goals and produce fiber quality that suits your market.
Choosing the right traits is critical as well. In the Armor® Seed line, you can choose varieties with the Bollgard® 3 XtendFlex® or Bollgard II® XtendFlex® trait, which provide both insect protection and weed control flexibility.
Trait innovations are also improving insect management. There is now Bt technology available through the ThryvOn® trait that provides thrips and plant bug control, which you can find in Armor variety 9383 B3TXF.
2. Ensure seed quality.
Yield and fiber quality are greatly influenced by genetics and your cotton’s ability to get a quick start. This quick start begins with seed quality. All cotton seed is tagged with and must meet a minimum warm germ score of 80%. While the actual WG may be higher than 80%, using this value to adjust planting populations is necessary to reduce unwanted skips and potential replants.
Each seed lot is also assigned a cool germination test score, which measures seedling vigor in cool, wet planting conditions. It’s often used along with the WG to determine the Warm-Cool Vigor Index.
3. Ensure germination success.
Proper seedbed preparation and seed treatments are also important. Base your planting sequence on soil temperature and the Warm-Cool index score. Use the higher index score seed for earlier planting with cooler, wetter conditions. The lesser index score seed can be utilized in more ideal planting conditions.
For early-season disease and pest protection, ensure you have the right insecticides, fungicides and PGRs on your seed to meet your farm’s needs.
4. Know your nutrition.
Start the season with a soil test and address any nutrient deficiencies, especially boron, potassium, phosphorus and zinc. Nutrient deficiencies will result in smaller bolls and poor fruit retention. It’s also a good idea to take tissue samples at key growth stages, such as early to mid-bloom, full bloom and boll fill, to ensure nutrient availability throughout the season.
5. Scout often.
Diligent scouting keeps you tuned in to any weed or insect threats. Be on the lookout for thrips in the early part of the season as seed treatments begin to lose effectiveness. Controlling piercing-sucking type insects, such as plant bugs, stink bugs or fleahoppers, is critical for early fruit set.
Taking these necessary steps will help ensure your cotton crop is a success.
© 2024 WinField United. Important: Before use always read and follow label instructions. Crop performance is dependent on several factors many of which are beyond the control of WinField United, including without limitation, soil type, pest pressures, agronomic practices and weather conditions. Growers are encouraged to consider data from multiple locations, over multiple years and to be mindful of how such agronomic conditions could impact results. Armor and WinField are trademarks of WinField United.