News about Integrated Pest Management in Hockley, Cochran and Lamb Counties CURRENT SITUATION Cotton ranges from seed just placed in the ground to 5 true leaf cotton. This is a normal range for this time. I cannot review all the scenarios which have played out and continue to play out over the last 5 to 6 weeks during planting. Just suffice to say that it has been a real challenge for some to get cotton up, and still is for many. We have missed some critical general rain showers to help with uniform planting moisture. So hopefully your situation is beginning to straighten out and the path is clear for this growing season. However, I know there are many where still too many uncertainties exist in this current planted crop and what direction it will take. If you have to make that hard decision to leave your cotton and replant another crop here is some considerations: https:// lubbock.tamu.edu/files/2023/06/ Hailout-Replant LatePlant-Guide-TX- S- Plains- Trostle- Keys-2023.pdf I will take a few lines here to possibly explain why some of this cotton has not come to a stand. Some of the factors which have a dramatic impact on uniform emergence are planting depth, dry planted, planted in good moisture, firm soil, loose soil, timing of planting in relation to a storm event, presence of wire-worms, intensity of rain and hail causing compaction, and soil temperature as it can be affected by irrigation, rain, or hail. Now some of these factors in themselves can be limiting to stand establishment. Then combine those in multiple stressors that can be devastating.
Scouting this last week has detected thrips ranging from 0 to 0.6 per plant in Hockley and Cochran counties and +0.6 in Lamb County. Remember the threshold for thrips is one thrips per a true leaf. So as an example, if a field is averaging 2 leaf cotton, then an average of 2 or more thrips per plant would be cause for an insecticide application. We inspect 100 plants per field when we scout for thrips. For more information go to: http:// lubbock.tamu.edu/files/2017/05/ ENTO-069_fn.pdf . Where I am seeing this most problems with thrips are where cotton is just not growing off well combined with thrips damage has been devasting. Other insects noted included chinch bugs, and reports of high numbers of grasshoppers north and south of us. I mentioned wireworms as a factor on stand establishment in the second paragraph. Albeit low numbers I am seeing wire-worms much more consistently in cotton this year as compared to last. We normally associate wire-worms with a grass crop; however, I am seeing wire-worm larva in fields where it has been several years since a grass crop was grown. No doubt, we are seeing higher numbers of wire-worms in fields which have wheat as a cover crop. Recall this next year to be certain to use treated seed.
Cotton Stand - Numbers Per Acre 1. Ideally, I would like to see 43,000 cotton plants/acre irrigated, with the bottom side being around 26,000/acre.
2. On dryland I like to shoot for 23,000/acre, with the bottom side being around 19,000/acre.
3. Consistency, consistency, and consistency are key in all situations though.
My priority list for the next couple of weeks:
• Fertility -where are you at in reaching your realistic yield goal? Be prepared to seize the moment to fertilize.
• Irrigation -most plants still need to root down. But make sure not to contribute to undue stress on irrigated cotton plants as they move into squaring, you can induce square shed. So, irrigate if you do not receive rain.
• Weed control – hopefully you have a good at-plant burn-down and residual in place. I am seeing quite a bit of pigweed, kochia, and Russian thistle emergence after rains. Take advantage of the humidity while we have it to spray Liberty.
• Plant map - what is the plant telling you? I doubt this is the case, but stranger things have happened: Will it need a plant growth regulator with good moisture, heat, and fertility? Call if you have questions on this.
• Insect scouting - never let your guard down, watch the thrips, wireworms, Lygus and fleahoppers in cotton. If you see something unusual, please give me a call.
Private Pesticide Applicators Training
The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service offers an online option for the required private Pesticide Applicators Training (PAT). This training is required by the Texas Department of Agriculture before taking the exam to obtain the license. A private pesticide applicator is a person who uses or supervises the use of a restricteduse or state limited-use pesticide or a regulated herbicide for the purpose of producing an agricultural commodity. This license is not for those receiving monetary compensation for a pesticide application. Here is the link for that training process: https://www-aes.tamu.edu/howto- obtain-a-private-applicator-license/
Paraquat Training Update
The Paraquat stewardship training is facilitated by the National Pesticide Safety Education Center, to help licensed applicators nationwide satisfy the EPA mandated stewardship training. If you have not received this training or your three-year training certification period expires you need to complete this if you use any paraquat formulation. Here is the link for the training website: https:/ /npsec.us/paraquat . This training is only available online.
Need On-line Agricultural IPM CEUs?
Visit AgriLife Learn: https:// agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/s/ Search for: IPM of Insects in Texas Corn
• Scout for pests during their active seasons;
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• Implement control measures for corn pests.
• 1 hour course
• 1 CEU hour – Agricultural IPM
• $15.00 Scouting Cotton for Insect Pests
• Collect field samples to discover pests;
• Describe basic cotton growth and development;
• Identify and treat common pests; and
• Identify and preserve helpful insects.
• 2 hour course
• 2 CEU hours – Agricultural IPM • $25.00