Protecting early leaves is important as they produce carbohydrates that the plant uses to survive, grow and produce fruit. One of the most detrimental influences on crop uniformity, earliness and the season-long crop management system is thrips. These pests can reduce cotton yields by 70 percent or more. Based upon history, choose an at-planting systemic insecticide with the longest residual possible. Avoid programs or systems built around “automatic” oversprays for thrips control, which can lead to aphid and mite problems as the season progresses.
Scout and overspray as required to assure insect control through the first forty days – especially during periods of cool temperatures or extremely dry conditions. It is absolutely critical to protect the plant and keep it healthy through the 4-true-leaf stage.
Entomologists agree that good weed control, including around field perimeters can lead to optimal and efficient insect control by eliminating host plants and breeding sites. To keep some great technology, rotate weed control systems and use residual herbicides in the weed control program. We all know that the incidence of resistant weeds is increasing fast making herbicide rotation extremely important. Treat weeds in a timely manner and keep weed competition out of the field by three to five weeks after planting.
The minimum cotton plant population in the final stand should be about two plants per foot or about 30,000 plants per acre, with a maximum of 60,000 plants per acre. A plant height-to-node ratio of at least one is desirable. Replanting is discouraged when there is at least one plant per foot and few large skips.
