According to the latest West Plains IPM Update from Texas A&M AgriLife, crop conditions across Hockley, Cochran, and Lamb counties continue to progress, with cotton development moving closer to the bloom stage.
The July 16 report by Extension Agent Kerry Siders states that the average upland cotton plant is showing about 12 total nodes, with a range from six to 16. The first fruiting branch typically appears at node seven, and fields are averaging six first-position squares from nodes seven through 12. Square retention on first positions is reported at 89 percent, with a range of 69 to 100 percent.
Siders noted that plant populations are averaging 34,800 plants per acre, and node length is around 0.85 inches. Nodes above white flower are averaging 8.1, and about 11 percent of fields have reached first bloom, adding that blooms were first observed on Monday, July 13.
Based on current growth, Siders projects that most fields will enter bloom with about 8.2 nodes above white flower. With plants needing to develop an additional two to three squares, he estimates the first bloom for the average field will occur between July 22 and July 25.
According to the report, insect pressure in cotton remains low at this time. However, Siders emphasized that producers should be closely monitoring fleahoppers and Lygus, particularly in later-planted cotton that is currently squaring.
Siders outlined several priorities for the coming week. In addition to maintaining close watch for fleahoppers and Lygus, Siders recommends continuing aggressive weed control efforts to prevent pigweed from going to seed and completing fertilizer applications before the end of July. Siders also cautioned that late fertilizer applications could delay crop maturity and increase the risk of cotton aphids.
Siders also advised producers to monitor the top three to four nodes of cotton plants. If internode length exceeds 1.5 inches, the use of a plant growth regulator may be necessary.
For any questions or concerns, Siders can be reached at his office at (806) 894-3150 or by email at kerry.siders@ag.tamu.edu.