Integrated Pest Management - Texas A&M AgriLife

Integrated Pest Management

Bailey-Parmer IPM Program

2011

Northwest Plains Integrated Pest Management Program

Bailey and Parmer Counties

2011 Annual Report

Prepared by

Monti Vandiver Extension Agent-IPM

Educational programs conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension is implied.

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Table of Contents Acknowledgements iii

Northwest Plains IPM Program Summary 1

Sothern High Plains Integrated Pest Management Program Summary 5

Educational Activities 7

2011 at a Glance 9

2011 Applied Research Projects 13

Cotton Seed Treatment Trial 15

Managing Thrips Using Organically Approved Insecticides 19

Evaluation of several Miticides in Irrigated Corn I 25

Roundup Ready Bt Cotton Variety Trial 27

Evaluation of several Miticides in Irrigated Corn II 31

Evaluation of Preventative Treatments and Foliar Over Sprays for Control of Thrips in Cotton 33

Evaluation of Several Fungicides in Irrigated Corn 39

Declare and Sulfoxaflor Insecticides for Control of Greenbugs in Winter Wheat 41

Glytol Cotton Variety Trial 45 Development of a Binomial Sampling Plan to Estimate Thrips Populations in Cotton to Aid in IPM Decision Making 49

Evaluation of In-furrow and Foliar Treatments for Thrips Control in Cotton 55

Replicated Corn Hybrid Trial 59

Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Cotton Varieties (Summary) 61

Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Cotton Varieties Report 63

Appendix Northwest Plains Pest Management News

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The success and achievements of any Extension program depend on the support and participation provided by area producers, agribusinessmen and others.

Appreciation is extended to the following producers for their cooperation, support and participation in the 2011 Northwest Plains Integrated Pest Management Program:

Clay Grant Tim Black Chris Bass Steve Bell John Saylor Daniel Schacher James Brown JeDon Gallman Gil DeLeon Kelly Kettner Marshall Pool Davy Carthel Tyler Black Steve Bass Jordan Pool Kendal Devault Mark Williams Ryan Williams Ronnie Altman Terry Parham Acknowledgment is also extended to the following members of Texas AgriLife Extension for their support:

Curtis Preston CEA Bailey County Benji Henderson CEA Parmer County Miles Dabovich District Extension Administrator, Lubbock Galen Chandler Regional Program Director, Amarillo David Kerns Extension Entomologist, Lubbock Pat Porter Extension Entomologist, Lubbock Ed Bynum Extension Entomologist, Amarillo Mark Kelley Extension Agronomist, Lubbock Calvin Trostle Extension Agronomist, Lubbock Brent Bean Extension Agronomist, Amarillo Jason Woodward Extension Plant Pathologist, Lubbock Peter Dotray Extension Weed Specialist, Lubbock Dana Porter Extension Irrigation Specialist, Lubbock Steve Paz Extension Computer Specialist, Lubbock Charles Allen Extension Entomologist and IPM Coordinator, San Angelo David Ragsdale Department Head, Entomology, College Station Chris Sansone Associate Department Head, Extension Entomology, College Station Acknowledgments are also extended to the following people who provided program support:

Luke Carpenter Demonstration Technician, Bailey-Parmer Counties Ray White Demonstration Technician, Bailey-Parmer Counties Mary Jo Schacher Office Manager, Bailey County

Bailey-Parmer Integrated Pest Management Committee

Cody Copland Ron Anderson Chris Bass Kelly Kettner Ryan Willians Ben Rejino

Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

AgriLifeExtension.tamu.edu

2011 Northwest Plains IPM Program Summary Monti Vandiver, Extension Agent - IPM, Bailey & Parmer Counties

Relevance Agriculture is the foundation of the economy in Bailey and Parmer Counties, 569,700 acres of cropland are intensively managed for maximum production and profitability. The Northwest Plains Integrated Pest Management Program is an educational program designed to promote a pest management strategy that will meet an individual’s production goals in the most economically and environmentally sound manner possible. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a systematic, information-intensive approach which depends on an understanding of the entire production system. It strives to use several complimentary tactics or control methods to manage pests which makes the system more stable and subject to fewer production risks. Response The Northwest Plains Integrated Pest Management Program is directed by a program area committee consisting of six individuals including agriculture producers, consultants, and agriculture businessmen. The committee actively participates in the identification of the targeted audience, planning, and implementation of the program. Seventeen Bailey and Parmer County producers actively participated in the scouting and applied research program components and many more participated in other mechanisms. Educational activities included:

• Weekly field visits (50 fields) using electronic data collection methods via cellular phones with internet access; a report generator was developed to create pest management reports. The basis for the system is Google Docs and Google forms

• Information gathered on these visits were delivered and interpreted to the individual producers via a scouting report

• Scouting reports were distributed electronically or regular mail and in person, at site, or by phone • Pest management plans were developed and implemented based on these consultations • 21 local and area wide applied research and result demonstration projects initiated • Northwest Plains Pest Management News (15 issues, 465 individuals/issue, 3 websites) • Weekly radio show on Fox Talk 950, Lubbock • Group meetings and newspaper articles were used to distribute educational information area wide; 16

presentations at producer and professional meetings • 17 CEUs offered • 8 published abstracts, Extension publications, posters, and Fact Sheets

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Results Retrospective post evaluation instruments were administered to clientele to determine the relevance, quality and value of the Northwest Plains IPM program. The survey was completed by 46 producers, consultants, ag retailers and ag industry representatives who were either directly or indirectly involved in the Northwest Plains IPM Program. Those producers which answered acreage questions reported 31,036 acres of crop production.

• Survey responses show that clientele value pest management information and unbiased research provided by the NWP IPM Program; the following charts summarize those responses.

• Production technologies are more readily adopted based on one’s ability to observe them in research and demonstrations under local growing conditions. Agreement rating 4.6 out of 5 possible.

• 95% of respondents state that Integrated Pest Management reduces risks associated with crop production

• 95% of respondents state that Integrated Pest Management maintains or increases yields while reducing input costs resulting in increased net profits

• The AgriLife Extension IPM Program works with growers and consultants to develop, promote and implement pest management strategies which reduce the use of pesticides. Eighty seven percent (87%) of clientele indicate that IPM program educational activities have resulted in reduced pesticide use by an average of 22.1% in recent years.

• If 15% of the 569,700 acres of cropland in the Northwest Plains eliminated only one pesticide application savings to producers would be $1.03 million.

• The IPM Program works to improve clientele awareness of Integrated Pest Management issues; the following chart summarizes survey responses documenting improvement levels

3%

46%51%

IPM Information

No ValueSomewhat ValuableValuableVery Valuable

5%

41%54%

Unbiased Research

No ValueSomewhat ValuableValuableVery Valuable

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

Pest Pressure

Impact of Natural Enemies

Pest Treatment Thresholds

Appropriate IPM Tactics and Timing

No Improvement Improvement Significant Improvement

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• Producers who responded to the survey indicate that they are likely to adopt Extension best management practices consistent with a sound IPM Program as shown below

Practice Will Not Undecided Probably Will Definitely Will

Manage pests based on IPM Principals 7% 7% 47% 40%

Utilize established economic / action thresholds 0% 0% 53% 47%

Adopt pesticides and/or management options based on Extension testing 0% 13% 40% 47%

Adopt varieties/hybrids based on Extension research 0% 13% 27% 60%

• In an attempt to valuate the IPM Program across various crops, producers were asked to estimate the value/acre the IPM Program has had in recent years on their farms. The following chart is a graphical representation of their responses.

$-

$10.00

$20.00

$30.00

$40.00

$50.00

Cotton Corn Grain Sorghum

Wheat

$48.46 $40.00 $42.50

$33.46

• The average estimated total Extension IPM Program value provided by survey respondents in $ per acre considering all crops and educational activities is $61.82/acre

Summary It is apparent that the Northwest Plains IPM Program is not only a valuable program to Northwest Plains agriculture but is an essential part of it. Using producer provided IPM Program values for various crops and only acreage reported in the survey for those crops the cumulative IPM program value is $1.27 million for those operations (15 producers reported acreage). In an attempt to quantify the economic impact of total Northwest Plains Integrated Pest Management Program, if the total program value assigned by producers, consultants, ag retailers and ag industry representatives of $61.82/acre is multiplied by a very conservative 10% of NWP cropland the IPM Program value to the industry in this 2-county area is in excess of $3.5 million. For any production system to be sustainable it must be profitable and it is clear that the Northwest Plains IPM Program enhances sustainable agriculture in the Northwest Plains of Texas. Detailed evaluation results of the Northwest Plains IPM Program are interpreted back to the program planning committee to determine program effectiveness and value, establish a programming baseline and enhance future program planning. With the help of the Northwest Plains IPM Committee, the Northwest Plains IPM Program is marketed and interpreted to key stakeholders, agribusinesses, civic groups, and the County Commissioners Court.

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2011 Southern High Plains Integrated Pest Management Program

Manda Anderson, Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, Gaines County Brant Baugh, former Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, Lubbock County

Tommy Doederlein, Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, Lynn and Dawson Counties Dustin Patman, Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, Crosby and Floyd Counties Scott Russell, Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, Terry and Yoakum Counties

Kerry Siders, Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, Hockley and Cochran Counties Monti Vandiver, Extension Agent – Integrated Pest Management, Parmer and Bailey Counties

Relevance Agriculture is the foundation of the economy in the Southern High Plains; cropland is intensively managed for maximum production and profitability. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a systematic, information-intensive approach which depends on an understanding of the entire production system. It strives to use several complimentary tactics or control methods to manage pests which makes the system more stable and subject to fewer production risks. The Texas AgriLife Extension IPM program is an educational program designed to promote a pest management strategy that will meet an individual’s production goals in the most economically and environmentally sound manner possible. Programs are educational by design and focus on informing producers about IPM techniques to control weeds, diseases and insects, as well as agronomic management practices such as varietal selection, irrigation and fertility management. Response The IPM Programs are directed by program area committees (7) which include agriculture producers, consultants, commodity group and agriculture business representatives. The committees actively participate in the identification of the targeted audience, planning, and implementation of the program. IPM Programs operate in cooperation with the Texas Pest Management Association, whose membership includes representatives from the local committees, producers and commodity organizations from across the State. Educational activities included:

• 6,014 field visits, 86 producers, 19,200 acres • Newsletters: 83 issues, 24,580 individual newsletters distributed (also published on numerous websites) • 107 applied research and demonstration projects initiated, 6 pest monitoring projects • Mass media: Weekly radio show on Fox Talk 950, 31other radio, 88 newspaper articles • Group meetings: 261 presentations at producer and professional meetings reaching 9,696 people directly • 147 CEUs offered via group and individual methods • 26 peer reviewed and/or proceedings publications • 56 scouts and 203 consultants trained • 58,213 total direct ag contacts • 13 local IPM Steering Committee Meetings

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Numbers of Research and Demonstration Trials Initiated in 2011*

Insect/Mite Management

Disease Management

Weed Management

Variety/Hybrid Testing

Agronomic Trials

Other Trials

39 20 2 33 6 7 *These trials were conducted in cotton, corn, grain sorghum, wheat and peanuts

Results Retrospective post evaluation instruments were administered to clientele to determine the relevance, quality and value of the IPM program. The survey was completed by 156 producers, consultants, ag retailers and ag industry representatives who were either directly or indirectly involved in the IPM Program. Those respondents which answered acreage questions reported 179,443 acres of crop production.

• The AgriLife Extension IPM Program works with growers and consultants to develop, promote and implement pest management strategies which reduce the use of pesticides. Eighty nine percent (89%) of respondents indicate that IPM program educational activities have resulted in reduced pesticide use by an average of 27.5% in recent years.

• If only 10% of the 3.5 million acres of cotton planted in the High Plains eliminated only one pesticide application potential savings to producers could exceed 2.8 million dollars and could potentially reduce pesticide load on the environment by 87,500 lbs.

• The average estimated Extension IPM Program value provided by survey respondents in dollars per acre considering all crops is $46/acre

Summary It is apparent that the Texas South Plains IPM Program is not only a valuable program to Texas agriculture but is an essential part of it. Using producer provided IPM Program values for various crops and only acreage reported in the surveys for those crops the cumulative IPM program value is 8.2 million dollars for those operations. In an attempt to quantify the economic impact of total South Plains IPM Program, if the total program value assigned by producers, consultants, ag retailers and ag industry representatives of $46/acre were applied to South Plains cotton acreage alone the potential economic impact of the IPM Program would exceed 80 million dollars. This does not account for any economic benefit which may come from other crops such as corn, grain sorghum, peanuts, and wheat. For any production system to be sustainable it must be profitable and it is clear that the Texas IPM Program enhances sustainable agriculture in the South Plains of Texas. For more information on the individual IPM programs you visit the following web pages and click on the desired publication to view additional program summaries. http://bailey.agrilife.org/publications http://crosby.agrilife.org/publications http://dawson.agrilife.org/publications http://gaines.agrilife.org/publications http://hockley.agrilife.org/publications http://lubbock.agrilife.org/publications http://terry.agrilife.org/publications

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2011 Educational Activities

Clientele reached: Data derived from the end of year summary of the Extension monthly reporting system.

Farm Visits 1,119 Newsletter Issues Prepared 18 Newsletters distributed 9,094 Direct Ag Contacts 25,546 Other Direct Contacts 2,051 News Releases 17 Radio/Television Interviews 39 Result Demonstrations Established 21 Presentations Made 34 Continuing Education Units (CEU) Offered 30

Activity Highlights Applied Research Projects Northwest Plains Pest Management Newsletter Northwest Plains Scouting Program (3,300 ac) Private Applicator Training and Testing Llano Estacado Cotton Conference Beltwide Cotton Conference Posters NM Ag Science Center Field Day Home/Horticulture IPM Weekly Radio Program Newspaper interviews/releases Cotton Field Day Guest Speaking Opportunities NM Ag Expo Ag in the Classroom Bollworm Resistance Monitoring Project Curry County, NM CEU Meeting Web based sorghum headworm threshold calculator

Agriculture Business, Marketing and Risk Management Programming

Program Support Funds Grant Funds $25,000.00 Producer Contributions $17,754.00 “In Kind” Contributions $13,580.00

Total Support $56,334.00

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2011 at a Glance

The following is a brief overview of the 2011 production season. Copies of the Northwest Plains Pest Management News published in 2011 have been included in the appendix of this report to further document environmental conditions, crop conditions, and pest pressure. The year started off with extreme cold temperatures near -10 degrees F in early February followed by a historically hot and dry summer. Environmental data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather stations located in the Northwest Plains of Texas indicate significantly higher temperatures mid May thru August, continuing to a lesser degree through October (Figure 1). Area last and first frost dates were May 5 and October 27. Accumulated heat units (DD60s) from May 1 through October 22 were 138% of the area long term average (Figure 2). Precipitation ranged from approximately 4.95 to 7.51 inches versus the long term average of 18.9 inches (Figure 3).

Corn The Northwest Plains corn crop was considered poor to fair overall. Corn silage yields were reported from 6 to 28+ tons per acre. The average corn yield according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) District 1-N was 138 bu/acre and 87 bu/ac in District 1-S, 70% and 50% of the 10 year average respectively. Irrigation demands were extreme. Northwest Plains (NWP, Bailey and Parmer Counties) corn producers planted over 84,733 acres of corn in 2011 down from 99,000 in 2010. Approximately 3.4% of planted acres were failed; excluding many acres that were harvested for silage prematurely in attempt to salvage at least some crop income.

2011 Pest Pressure:

Overall moderate to heavy Southwestern Corn Borer light Spider Mites moderate to very heavy Fall armyworm light to very heavy

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Cotton Cool early May temperatures delayed planting of many cotton fields, but temperatures dramatically increased to record levels June – August and into September. Very warm fall temperatures allowed continued cotton development later into the fall than normal. Irrigated yields were proportional to irrigation capacity and the dryland crop was basically non-existent. With a few exceptions fiber properties were very good. Approximately 187,994 acres of cotton were planted; 51.7% of those acres failed due to extreme environmental conditions.

2011 Pest Pressure:

Overall light Thrips moderate Cotton Fleahopper very light Lygus very light Aphids light Bollworms light to moderate

Grain Sorghum The average sorghum yield according to NASS was 32 bu/acre. Northwest Plains sorghum producers planted 25,553 acres of sorghum in 2011 down from 27,100 in 2010; 4.8% of planted acres were failed. 2011 Pest Pressure Overall light-moderate Greenbugs light Yellow sugarcane aphid very light Spider mites light to moderate Headworms light to moderate Fall armyworm moderate Wheat 177,730 acres of wheat were planted in the fall of 2010, a fair amount was intended for forage and grazing purposes. 59,000 acres were harvested for grain in 2011 with an average irrigated yield of 21 bu/ac and 12 bu/ac dryland; 14.4% of planted acres failed. Extremely dry conditions and freeze damage took a heavy toll on the crop. Wheat streak mosaic, triticum mosaic, High Plains virus and to a lesser extent barley yellow dwarf virus infested some of the crop. 2011 Pest Pressure Overall light to moderate Greanbugs light to moderate Russian wheat aphid light to moderate Disease light to moderate

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Figure 1. Daily high and low temperatures from 4 weather stations versus the 30 year long term average in the Northwest Plains of Texas, April 1 – October 22, 2011.

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Figure 2. Accumulated heat unit data from 4 weather stations in the Northwest Plains versus the 30 year long term average (DD60 May 1 – Oct 22, 2011).

Figure 3. Precipitation data from 4 weather stations in the Northwest Plains (2011) versus the 30 year long term average.

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2011 Applied Research and Demonstration Projects Unbiased applied research which evaluates new technologies and pest management options is an integral part of Texas AgriLife Extension programming; the following projects were conducted in 2011.

• Evaluation of Preventive Insecticides for Control of Western Flower Thrips in Irrigated Cotton in the Northwest Plains of Texas, Kendal Devalt Farm

• Developing an Action Threshold for Thrips in Irrigated Cotton on the High Plains of Texas, Tim Black Farm

• Efficacy of Declare® Insecticide for Control of Greenbugs and Russian Wheat Aphids in Wheat and Impact to Natural Enemies

• Evaluation of Several Curative Spider Mite Management Options in Corn, Davy Carthel Farm

• Beltwide Evaluation of Preventive and foliar Over-spray Insecticides for Control of Western Flower Thrips in Irrigated Cotton, James Brown Farm

• Evaluation of Fungicides and Application Timing in Corn, Terry Parham Farm • Evaluation of Several Experimental Spider Mite Management tactics in Corn, JeDon

Gallman Farm • Development of a Binomial Sampling Plan to Estimate Thrips Pressure in Cotton • Evaluation of the SmartStax Transgenic Corn System for Fall Armyworm Suppression in

Corn, Ronnie Altman Farm • Replicated Cotton Variety Trial Comparing New GT and GL Varieties to a Producer

Standard, Daniel Schacher Farm • Managing Thrips Using Organically Approved insecticides in Cotton, Jimmy Wedel

Farm • Monitoring Corn Earworm / Cotton Bollworm for Resistance Development to Transginc

(Bt) plants • Evaluation of Several conventional and biological seed treatments in cotton, Marshall

Pool Farm • Replicated Agronomic Cotton Evaluation (RACE) in an Irrigated Production System,

Chris Bass Farm • Replicated Cotton Variety Trial in an Irrigated Production System, Marshall Pool Farm • Systems Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Cotton Varieties, Mark Williams Farm • Evaluation of Herbicide Residue the Following Year After Application in Transgenic

Sorghum, Chris Bass Farm • Un-replicated Large Scale Demonstration of cotton varieties in a limited irrigation

production system • Replicated Large Plot Corn Hybrid Trial, Kelly Kettner Farm • Johnson Grass Genetic Survey • Water Quality Survey

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Trade names of commercial products used in this report is included only for better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M University System is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment do not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary.

Cotton Seed Treatment Trial

Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX - 2011

Monti Vandiver Texas Agrilife Extension Service

Objective: To evaluate and compare cotton seed treatment combinations in a conventional tilled irrigated production system. Seed treatments evaluated in the trial were:

1. Base (Apron + Maxim + Nuflow M + Nusan 30) 2. Base+Bion (Apron + Maxim + Nuflow M + Nusan 30 + Bion) 3. Avicta Complete Cotton (ACC) (Base + ACC) 4. ACC+Bion (Base + ACC + Bion)

Materials and Methods: This test was conducted in a commercial cotton field near Lariat, TX and was irrigated using pivot sprinkler irrigation system. The test was a RCB design with 3 replications. Plots were 6-30 inch rows wide × 2500 ft in length. Treatments included 4 different cotton seed treatment options. Plant population and structure data were collected during the growing season. Whole plots were machine harvested using a JD 7460 harvester with a field cleaner November 1. Gin turnouts for lint and seed were determined from grab samples taken by plot at harvest and ginned at the University of Missouri Extension Center at Portageville. Lint samples were submitted to the Texas Tech University - Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute for HVI analysis, and USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) loan values were determined for each variety by plot. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 5% probability level.

Production Practices • Seeding rate - 64,000 seed/acre • At planting insecticide/nematicide - Temik 3 lbs/acre • Weed management – Treflan 1 qt/ac PPI, Direx 1 qt/ac PRE, Roundup OTT • PGR – Stance 3 oz/ac at pinhead square, match head square followed by mepiquat

chloride 16 oz/ac at full bloom • Irrigation - Full

Results and Conclusions The ACC and ACC+Bion had significantly better seedling vigor and greater plant stand compared to the Base seed treatment as well as other slight differences in plant structure and mapping data (Table 1). The greatest lint yield and total crop value was observed in the ACC+Bion treatment (Table 2). No significant differences were observed in fiber properties (Table 3).

Acknowledgements: I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to this trial: Marshall Pool, Producer; Jordan Pool, Producer; Scott Fuchs, Phytogen; and Curtis Preston, CEA-Ag.

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DescriptionPart RatedRating Date

PHY 367 WRF Base M/Bion 2.7 ab 19.7 ab 6.8 a 8.9 a 24.3 a 8.8 a 14.0 ab 17.0 a 8.1 ab 5.2 bPHY 367 WRF ACP/Bion 3.3 a 23.0 a 6.8 a 9.0 a 24.7 a 8.0 b 13.4 b 16.5 a 7.6 b 5.4 abPHY 367 WRF ACP 3.0 a 22.3 a 6.9 a 8.6 a 24.5 a 8.8 a 13.3 b 16.5 a 7.5 b 4.6 bPHY 367 WRF Base M 2.0 b 18.0 b 6.9 a 8.9 a 25.7 a 8.2 ab 15.0 a 17.8 a 9.1 a 6.7 a

LSD (P=.05) 0.7 3.4 NS NS NS 0.5 1.2 NS 1.0 1.4CV 13.6 8.31 4.08 5.42 3.21 3.2 4.23 2.96 6.09 12.37Grand Mean 2.75 20.75 6.84 8.87 24.8 8.44 13.92 16.93 8.08 5.48Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.1FFB first fruiting branch2NAWF nodes above white flower3UCB uppermost cracked boll4UHB uppermost harvestable boll5NACB nodes above cracked boll

Vigorrating plants

plants/10' FFB1 NACB5NAWF2 Height UCB3

nodesinches node node nodes6/6/2011

0.2209

node nodesUHB4 Total Nodes Fruiting

Table 1. Vigor ratinmgs, plant stand and plant mapping results from a LESA irrigated cotton seed treatment trial, Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

nodes

0.7434 0.0588 0.0266 0.03820.0291 0.04630.0219 0.0373 0.9421

6/6/2011 7/22/2011 8/12/2011

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DescriptionPart Rated

PHY 367 WRF Base M/Bion 0.338 a 1639 b 0.5372 a 880.46 bPHY 367 WRF ACP/Bion 0.347 a 1780 a 0.5362 a 954.59 aPHY 367 WRF ACP 0.340 a 1617 b 0.5388 a 871.52 bPHY 367 WRF Base M 0.344 a 1597 b 0.5392 a 861.02 b

LSD (P=.05) NS 110 NS 54.37CV 1.05 3.32 0.64 3.05Grand Mean 0.34 1658.42 0.54 891.9Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)

Lint YieldTurnout

0.01970.073

Table 2. Harvest results from a LESA irrigated cotton seed treatment trial, Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

0.69140.0233

$/lb $/aclbs/ac% lintLoan Crop Value

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PHY 367 WRF Base M/Bion 4.17 a 1.11 a 82.8 a 30.3 a 79.7 a 8.4 a 3.3 aPHY 367 WRF ACP/Bion 4.17 a 1.12 a 82.9 a 30.2 a 80.9 a 8.5 a 3.7 aPHY 367 WRF ACP 4.17 a 1.13 a 83.1 a 30.4 a 81.2 a 8.6 a 2.0 aPHY 367 WRF Base M 4.07 a 1.12 a 82.0 a 30.9 a 80.8 a 8.5 a 3.3 a

LSD (P=.05) NS NS NS NS NS NS NSCV 3.48 1.14 0.85 2.62 1.54 2.01 39.35Grand Mean 4.14 1.12 82.71 30.46 80.67 8.48 3.08Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

yellownessStrength

0.7838 0.4529

LeafMic Length Unif.inches % g/tex brightness unitsunits

Rd +b

Table 3. Fiber properties from a LESA irrigated cotton seed treatment trial, Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

0.3437 0.7321 0.526 0.4754 0.4147

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MANAGING THRIPS USING ORGANICALLY APPROVED INSECTICIDES Monti Vandiver

Texas AgriLife Extension Service Muleshoe, TX David Kerns

Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center Lubbock, TX Brant Baugh

Texas AgriLife Extension Service Lubbock, TX

Megha Parajulee Jane Dever

Mark Arnold Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center

Lubbock, TX

Abstract Thrips are a recurring problem to seedling cotton in the Texas High Plains. It has been estimated that thrips impact to the High Plains cotton industry in 2010 was in excess of $6 million. Two replicated trials were conducted in commercial organic cotton fields; one in Bailey County near Muleshoe, TX and the other in Lubbock County near Idalou, TX to evaluate the efficacy of numerous OMRI approved insecticides for thrips suppression in cotton and to determine yield benefits of those insecticide applications. Thirteen OMRI approved foliar insecticides and and untreated check were compared. Thrips pressure was less than normally experienced and variability was high within the trial. Never-the-less Aza-Direct (8oz), Entrust, Bugitol, and Saf-T-Side + Ecotec did provide some suppression of thrips in this trial but residual activity may be limited. Entrust appeared to curb colonization to a greater degree. No treatment provided any benefit in lint yield.

Introduction Thrips are a recurring problem to seedling cotton in the Texas High Plains. It has been estimated that thrips impact to the High Plains cotton industry in 2010 was in excess of $6 million. In irrigated cotton where thrips populations are historically high (usually areas where there is a significant acreage of wheat) many conventional growers may choose to utilize preventative insecticide seed treatments and/or foliar remedial insecticide treatments to control thrips. One of the most challenging factors facing organic cotton producers in the Texas High Plains is the effective management of early-season thrips in an organic production system. In this study we investigated the efficacy of numerous Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) approved insecticides for thrips suppression in cotton. Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) provides organic certifiers, growers, manufacturers, and suppliers an independent review of products intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing.

Materials and Methods Two tests were conducted in commercial organic cotton fields; one in Bailey County near Muleshoe, TX and the other in Lubbock County near Idalou, TX. At the Muleshoe site, ‘FiberMax 958’ was planted 3 May 2011 on 30-inch rows and irrigated using LESA center pivot irrigation system. At the Idalou site, ‘FiberMax 989’ was planted 20 May 2011 on 40-inch rows and irrigated using furrow irrigation. In both tests, plots were 4-rows wide × 100 ft long. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with 4 replicates. Treatments included 13 OMRI approved insecticides and an untreated check (UTC) (Table 1). All insecticides were applied in accordance with their respective label recommendations. Insecticide applications were made weekly, beginning at emergence through the 5 true leaf stage. Treatments were applied in a 10 inch band directly over the top of the crop row with a CO2 pressurized backpack sprayer and hand held boom equipped with hollow cone nozzles. Thrips were counted before treatment as well as 3-4 and 7-8 days after each insecticide application. Five to ten plants/plot were collected, washed in an alcohol solution; adult and immature thrips collected in solution were filtered out and counted under a dissecting stereo scope. Samples collected were also separated by life stage and identified to species. Plant damage ratings, from 1 to 5, were assessed when most plants had reached the 4 true leaf stage. Entire plots were harvested November 11 (Muleshoe) and 19 (Idalou) using an IH cotton stripper harvester equipped with integral small plot

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scales. Bur cotton grab samples were taken from each plot. The samples were ginned at the Texas A&M Agriculture Experiment Station in Lubbock, Texas. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 5% probability level. “Box and whisker” plots were created using Sigma Plot 10.0; the “whiskers” represent the greatest and least values, the top and bottom of the box are the upper and lower quartiles, the black line within the box is the median and the white line within the box is the mean.

Table 1. Treatments and application detail from 2 organic thrips management trials, Muleshoe and Idalou, TX, 2011. Trade name Common name Rate GPA Untreated --- --- --- Repeller Garlic juice 6.4 fl-oz/ac 2.5 Aza-Direct1,2 Azadirachtin 6 fl-oz/ac 2.5 Aza-Direct1,2 Azadirachtin 8 fl-oz/ac 2.5 Aza-Direct + PyGanic 5%1,2 Azadirachtin+ Pyrethrins 6 + 9 fl-oz/ac 2.5 SucraShield1 Sucrose esters 1% v/v 20 Entrust1 Spinosad 2 oz/ac 20 Cedar Gard Cedar oil 1 qt/ac 20 Pest Out1 Cotton seed/Clove/Garlic oils 1 gal/100 gal 20 Pyganic 5%2 Pyrethrins 18 fl-oz/ac 50 Bugitol Capsicum /Mustard oils 96 fl-oz/100 gal 50 Saf-T-Side + Ecotec Petroleum oil + Rosemary/Peppermint oil 1 gal + 1 qt/100 gal 50 Saf-T-Side + PyGanic 5%2 Petroleum oil + Pyrethrins 1 gal + 9 fl-oz/100 gal 50 Surround WP1 Kaolin 25 lb/ac 50 1Ag-Aide added to spray mix at 8 fl-oz/100 gal (adjuvant) 2Constant BUpH-er added to the spray mix at 0.125% v/v (pH = 6)

Results and Discussion Due to very low thrips pressure and a later planting date at the Idalou site, data were insufficient to make any reasonable conclusions and will not be presented. The later planting date at this site reduced the thrips exposure period and resulted in more vigorous plants compared to the Muleshoe site further diluting the Idalou data. Environmental conditions at the Muleshoe site were harsh; extremely dry, warmer than normal, and very windy (Figure 1). Thrips pressure, in general, was significantly lower compared to historical observations likely due to harsh conditions and lack of alternative hosts to support and bridge thrips populations until cotton emergence.

25

50

75

100

125

5/16/2011 6/8/2011

High and Low Temperatures in Degrees F, Muleshoe, TX

2011 High 2011 Low Ave High Ave Low

Figure 1. High and low temperatures from 2011 vs. the 30 year long term averages.

20

The cotton was very slow to develop, 11 days were required from emergence until the 1st true leaf stage (5-16 to 5-27). Thrips numbers slightly exceeded the established action threshold of one thrips per true leaf by 23 May and remained above action threshold through 27 May but no significant difference was observed between any treatment (Table 2).

Table 2. Thrips numbers and action threshold. Date Thrips/ True Leaf1 Threshold2 5/20 .51 1 5/23 1.2 1 5/27 1 1 5/31 .86 2 6/3 1.2 3 6/7 .89 4 6/10 .21 4 6/14 .36 5

1Grand mean thrips per true leaf 2Established action threshold is 1 thrips/true leaf.

Thrips pressure remained below threshold through the rest of the sampling period and no significant treatment differences were present between treatments. Data were further analyzed by calculating seasonal means by treatment and days after treatment (DAT) (Figures 3 and 4).

Untreate

d

Repell

er

Aza-D

irect

6 fl-o

z

Aza-D

irect

8 fl-o

z

Aza-D

irect

+ Pyg

anic

Sucrash

ield

Entrust

Cedar

Gard

Pest O

ut

Pygan

ic

Bugitol

Saf-T-S

ide + Eco

tec

Saf-T-S

ide + Pyg

anic

Surround

Tota

l thr

ips

per p

lant

0

1

2

3

3-4 DAT

Untreate

d

Repell

er

Aza-D

irect

6 fl-o

z

Aza-D

irect

8 fl-o

z

Aza-D

irect

+ Pyg

anic

Sucrash

ield

Entrust

Cedar

Gard

Pest O

ut

Pygan

ic

Bugitol

Saf-T-S

ide + Eco

tec

Saf-T-S

ide + Pyg

anic

Surround

Tota

l thr

ips

per p

lant

0

1

2

37-8 DAT

Figures 3 and 4. Seasonal mean thrips per plant 3-4 and 7-8 DAT While no statistical differences were observed when comparing all treatments, seemingly consistent numerical trends were noted. In an effort to clarify some data variability, a data analysis was performed which only included treatments which looked to have had a notable consistent numerical benefit based on the box and whisker plots. This analysis indicated a significant difference in seasonal thrips pressure 3-4 DAT (Figure 5). The high rate of Aza-Direct, Entrust, Bugitol, and Saf-T-Side + Ecotec had significantly fewer thrips/plant compared to the UTC. The same analysis showed no differences 7-8 DAT which may indicate very short residual activity of treatments.

21

Figure 5. Treatment limited seasonal mean thrips per plant 3-4 DAT

The percentage of immature thrips of a population is a good indicator of that population’s ability to colonize; a higher percentage of immatures suggests a higher degree of colonization. Forty seven to forty eight percent (47-48%) of the thrips population were immatures 3-4 and 7-8 DAT and no treatment affect was noted. When data from all post treatment sampling dates were merged and analyzed, the Entrust treatment had a significantly lower percentage of immature thrips compared to all other treatments (P = 0.10) (Figure 6). Based on this data, Entrust appears to suppress colonization to a greater degree compared to the other treatments.

Figure 6. Seasonal means of the percent immature thrips. Western flower thrips (WFT) were the dominant species identified but a significant number of onion thrips (OT) were also present (Figure 7).

Figure 7. Thrips species distribution, Muleshoe, TX - 2011.

Damage ratings, where 1 was least damage and 5 was greatest damage, taken at the 4 true leaf stage on 7 June showed Entrust with lowest damage with a rating of 2; Aza-Direct, Pyganic and Bugitol had statistically similar

22

damage ratings (Figures 8 and 9). The reason Saf-T-Side + Ecotec, which tended to have a favorable reduction in thrips, failed to exhibit a reduction in damage is uncertain. Typically, damage ratings must exceed 3 to elicit a yield response.

Figure 8. Plant damage ratings 7 June. The trial yielded very well, the mean lint yield across all treatments was 1125 lbs/acre and no differences between treatments were observed (Figure 10).

Figure 10. Lint yield in lbs/acre.

Conclusions

Thrips pressure was less than normally experienced and variability was high within the trial. Never-the-less Aza-Direct (8oz), Entrust, Bugitol, and Saf-T-Side + Ecotec did provide some suppression of thrips in this trial but residual activity may be limited. Entrust appeared to curb colonization to a greater degree. No treatment provided any benefit in lint yield. This trial should be repeated under better environmental conditions which would support higher thrips pressure. Based on this data rate adjustments should also be investigated and efforts should be concentrated on the more promising insecticides.

Acknowledgements Project sites were provided by Jimmy Wedel, Muleshoe, TX and Steve Neff, Idalou, TX. This project was funded by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Figure 9. Typical cotton plant with 4 true leaves and a damage rating of 2

23

24

Educational programs conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension Service is implied.

Evaluation of Several Miticides in Irrigated Corn Davy Carthel Farm, Friona, TX - 2011

Monti Vandiver

Texas Agrilife Extension Service

Objective: Evaluation of several registered and unregistered miticides for Banks grass mite (BGM) suppression in tassel stage irrigated corn.

Treatments: 1. Oberon @ 4.25 oz/ac 4. Zeal @ 2.0 oz/ac 2. Oberon @ 6 oz/ac 5. Untreated check 3. Onager @ 10 oz/ac

Materials and Methods: This test was conducted on a producer’s field located near Friona, TX. The experiment was arranged in a RCB with 4 replications. Plots were 4 rows wide (38 inch centers) by 40 ft long. Miticides were applied 20 Jul with a CO2 pressurized hand-carried backpack sprayer calibrated to deliver 18.8 gpa through hollow cone (TX10) nozzles (2 per row) at 50 psi. An overhead boom with nozzles placed 19 inches apart was used. The Oberon and Onager treatments were mixed with a crop oil concentrate at a rate of 1 pt/acre. A nonionic surfactant was mixed with the Zeal treatment at 0.15% v/v. Pretreatment spider mite counts were taken 19 Jul before treatment (Pretrt) and post-treatment counts taken at 7 and 15 days after treatment (DAT). Spider mites were sampled by collecting 5 leaves per plot. The leaf sampled was either the 4th or 5th leaf up the plant from the lowest bottom leaf with at least 1/3 of the leaf green. Motile mites were counted with the aid of an Optivisor binocular magnifier, model DA10. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 10% probability level.

Results and Conclusions The BGM populations decreased each week in all plots due to heavy natural enemy numbers, primarily six spotted thrips. All miticide treatments numerically reduced mite numbers by 7 DAT but statistical significance was outside parameters (treatment prob(F) =.1788). A significant % control was noted when comparing treated plots to the UTC and ranged from 48-68%; no difference was observed between miticide treatments. By 15 DAT predatory thrips had reduced mite numbers in the untreated check to near zero and no usable data were collected and will not be presented. No miticide treatment had a significant impact on immature or adult predatory thrips when compared to the UTC.

Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to this trial: Davy Carthel, producer; Russ Perkins, Bayer CropScience; Bill Odle, Valent; and Keith Major, Gowan.

25

Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.10, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

3/26/2012 (SpiderMite(BCS-2011)) AOV Means Table Page 1 of 1

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Trial ID: Val2012 Protocol ID:Location: Davy Carthel Farm Study Director:

Project ID: Investigator: Monti Vandiver Sponsor Contact:

Rating Date 7/19/2011 7/19/2011 7/19/2011 7/19/2011 7/27/2011 7/27/2011 7/27/2011 7/27/2011 7/27/2011Rating Type Mites 6SThrips ImmThrips Tot Thrips Mites CONTRO 6SThrips ImmThrips Tot ThripsRating Unit /leaf /leaf /leaf /leaf /leaf %UNCK /leaf /leaf /leafTrt-Eval Interval -1 DA-A -1 DA-A -1 DA-A -1 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A

Treatment RateName Rate Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

UTC 29.10 a 0.25 a 0.25 a 0.5 a 7.15 a 0.0 b 0.65 a 2.10 a 2.8 a

Oberon 4.25 fl oz/a 31.75 a 0.40 a 0.20 a 0.6 a 1.90 a 67.7 a 0.45 a 1.20 a 1.7 aCOC 1 pt/a

Oberon 6 fl oz/a 36.20 a 0.25 a 0.05 a 0.3 a 1.40 a 66.6 a 0.35 a 0.90 a 1.3 aCOC 1 pt/a

Onager 10 fl oz/a 31.75 a 0.60 a 0.20 a 0.8 a 1.40 a 60.3 a 0.20 a 1.80 a 2.0 aCOC 1 pt/a

Zeal 2 oz/a 22.75 a 0.30 a 0.25 a 0.6 a 2.30 a 47.7 a 0.45 a 1.95 a 2.4 aNIS 0.15 % v/v

LSD (P=.10) 19.681 0.456 0.265 0.55 4.493 29.29 0.417 1.141 1.29CV 51.53 100.54 110.82 78.69 125.99 47.97 78.73 56.93 50.74Grand Mean 30.31 0.36 0.19 0.55 2.83 48.46 0.42 1.59 2.01

Replicate F 0.570 1.140 0.286 0.751 1.755 4.906 0.268 3.010 2.334Replicate Prob(F) 0.6456 0.3724 0.8348 0.5426 0.2092 0.0189 0.8470 0.0722 0.1255Treatment F 0.399 0.664 0.609 0.694 1.880 5.898 0.988 1.296 1.352Treatment Prob(F) 0.8054 0.6288 0.6639 0.6104 0.1788 0.0073 0.4507 0.3258 0.3072

Rating Type CONTRO = control / burndown or knockdownRating Unit %UNCK = percent of untreated checkARM Action Codes T1 = [C2]+[C3] THT[1,5] = Henderson-Tilton([1],[5]) T2 = [C7]+[C8]

26


Roundup Ready Bt Cotton Variety Trial

Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX - 2011


Objective: To evaluate and compare 5 Roundup Ready Bt cotton varieties in a conventional tillage irrigated production system. Varieties evaluated in the trial were DP0912B2RF, PHY367WRF, PHY375WRF, PHY499WRF, and ST 4288 B2F.

Materials and Methods: This test was conducted in a commercial cotton field near Lariat, TX and was irrigated using pivot sprinkler irrigation system. The test was a RCB design with 3 replications. Plots were 6-30 inch rows wide × 2500 ft in length. Treatments included 5 different cotton cultivars with the similar seed treatment packages planted May 5. Plant population and structure data were collected during the growing season. Whole plots were machine harvested using a JD 7460 harvester with a field cleaner November 1. Gin turnouts for lint and seed were determined from grab samples taken by plot at harvest and ginned at the University of Missouri Extension Center at Portageville. Lint samples were submitted to the Texas Tech University - Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute for HVI analysis, and USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) loan values were determined for each variety by plot. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 5% probability level.

Production Practices • Seeding rate - 64,000 seed/acre • At planting insecticide - Temik 3 lbs/acre • Weed management – Treflan 1 qt/ac PPI, Direx 1 qt/ac PRE, Roundup OTT • PGR – Stance 3 oz/ac at pinhead square, match head square followed by mepiquat

chloride 16 oz/ac at full bloom • Minimal verticillium wilt • Irrigation - Full

Results and Conclusions PHY 499 and ST 4288 higher seedling vigor ratings compared to other varieties (Table 1). Slight differences were observed in the location of the first fruiting branch, and total nodes/plant. PHY 499 was the tallest variety in the trial, 27 inches at cutout. Top lint yields and total crop value/acre were observed in the PHY 499, DP 0912 and PHY 375 varieties (Table 2). Slight differences were observed in micronaire, length and color but did not result in significantly different loan values (Table 3). PHY 499 is a longer season variety than normally planted in the Northwest Plains of Texas, more data is needed to determine its suitability in a short season.

Acknowledgements: I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to this trial: Marshall Pool, Producer; Jordan Pool, Producer; Scott Fuchs, Phytogen; and Curtis Preston, CEA-Ag.

27


DP 0912 B2RF 3 b 22 a 7.0 bc 8.5 a 25.2 b 8.9 a 14.0 a 17.4 bc 8.0 a 5.1 aPHY 367 WRF 3 b 22 a 6.9 c 8.6 a 24.5 b 8.8 a 13.3 a 16.5 c 7.5 a 4.6 aPHY 375 WRF 3 b 19 a 7.1 bc 9.2 a 26.1 ab 9.6 a 15.0 a 18.0 ab 8.9 a 5.4 aPHY 499 WRF 4 a 23 a 7.8 a 8.7 a 27.0 a 9.3 a 15.3 a 18.5 a 8.5 a 6.0 aST 4288 B2F 3.7 a 24 a 7.2 b 8.6 a 24.6 b 8.9 a 14.9 a 18.5 a 8.7 a 6.0 a

LSD (P=.05) 0.49 NS 0.34 NS 1.534 NS NS 0.936 NS NSCV 7.75 12.6 2.49 4.79 3.2 4.66 5.24 2.8 8.81 20.9Grand Mean 3.33 22.07 7.2 8.72 25.47 9.1 14.5 17.79 8.3 5.4Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.1FFB first fruiting branch2NAWF nodes above white flower3UCB uppermost cracked boll4UHB uppermost harvestable boll5NACB nodes above cracked boll

UCB3 UHB4 Total Nodesg

Nodes NACB5Vigor plants/10' FFB1 NAWF2 Heightnode nodes nodes nodesrating plants node nodes inches

6/6/2011 6/6/2011 7/22/2011 8/12/2011node

0.0248

Table 1. Vigor ratinmgs, plant stand and plant mapping results from a LESA irrigated cotton variety trial, Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

0.1952 0.0655 0.0051 0.2229 0.50870.0033 0.4077 0.0018 0.3558

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DP 0912 B2RF 0.359 a 1754 a 0.5350 a 938.26 abPHY 367 WRF 0.340 b 1617 bc 0.5388 a 871.52 bcPHY 375 WRF 0.356 a 1719 ab 0.5357 a 920.52 abPHY 499 WRF 0.354 a 1782 a 0.5400 a 962.21 aST 4288 B2F 0.332 b 1534 c 0.5385 a 826.23 c

LSD (P=.05) 0.01269 133.56 NS 69.69CV 1.94 4.22 0.53 4.1Grand Mean 0.35 1681.27 0.54 903.75Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)

Table 2. Harvest results from a LESA irrigated cotton variety trial, Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

0.2363 0.0123

Turnout% lint

0.0054 0.0133

$/lb $/aclbs/acLoan Crop ValueLint Yield

29


DP 0912 B2RF 4.5 a 1.10 c 82.7 a 31.2 a 81.4 a 8.1 b 3.7 aPHY 367 WRF 4.2 b 1.13 ab 83.1 a 30.4 a 81.2 a 8.6 a 2.0 bPHY 375 WRF 4.2 b 1.11 bc 82.6 a 29.6 a 81.8 a 8.3 ab 3.3 aPHY 499 WRF 4.2 b 1.13 ab 83.0 a 31.9 a 80.9 a 8.1 b 4.3 aST 4288 B2F 4.4 ab 1.14 a 82.8 a 30.5 a 81.6 a 8.2 b 3.3 a

LSD (P=.05) 0.236 0.0214 NS NS NS 0.274 1.14CV 2.93 1.02 0.79 3.47 0.46 1.76 18.17Grand Mean 4.27 1.12 82.86 30.71 81.37 8.29 3.33Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

unitsUnif.

yellownessRd

0.1143 0.0217 0.0163

Mic Length

0.0404 0.0139 0.8456

+b LeafStrength

0.2049

Table 3. Fiber property results from a LESA irrigated cotton variety trial, Marshall Pool Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

unitsinches % g/tex brightness

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Evaluation of Several Miticides in Irrigated Corn Jedon Gallman Farm, Friona, TX - 2011

Monti Vandiver


Objective: Evaluation of several registered and unregistered miticides for Banks grass mite (BGM) suppression in tassel stage irrigated corn.

Treatments: 1. Fenpyroximate @ 16 oz/ac 4. Oberon @ 4.25 oz/ac 7. Comite II @ 48 oz/ac 2. Fenpyroximate @ 24 oz/ac 5. Onager @ 10 oz/ac

8. Untreated check

3. Fenpyroximate @ 32 oz/ac 6. Zeal @ 2.0 oz/ac

Materials and Methods: This test was conducted on a producer’s field located near Hub, TX. The experiment was arranged in a RCB with 4 replications. Plots were 4 rows wide (36 inch centers) by 40 ft long. Miticides were applied 21 Jul with a CO2 pressurized hand-carried backpack sprayer calibrated to deliver 10 gpa through hollow cone (TX6) nozzles (2 per row) at 40 psi. An overhead boom with nozzles placed 19 inches apart was used. The Oberon and Onager treatments were mixed with a crop oil concentrate at a rate of 1 pt/acre. A nonionic surfactant was mixed with the Fenpyroximate treatments at 0.25% v/v and with Zeal treatments at 0.15% v/v. Pretreatment spider mite counts were taken 20 Jul before treatment (Pretrt) and post-treatment counts taken at 7, 14 and 21 days after treatment (DAT). Spider mites were sampled by collecting 5 leaves per plot. The leaf sampled was either the 4th or 5th leaf up the plant from the lowest bottom leaf with at least 1/3 of the leaf green. Motile mites on a leaf were counted with the aid of an Optivisor binocular magnifier, model DA10. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 10% probability level.

Results and Conclusions The BGM populations decreased each week in all plots due to heavy natural enemy numbers, primarily six spotted thrips. All miticide treatments significantly reduced mite infestations by 7 DAT and none differed significantly from each other but the greatest level % control was observed in the high rate of Fenpyroximate, Oberon, Onager, and Zeal treatments. By 14 DAT predatory thrips had reduced mite numbers in the untreated check to near zero. No usable data were collected at 14 and 21 DAT and will not be presented. No miticide treatment had a significant impact on immature or adult predatory thrips when compared to the UTC.

Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to this trial: Jedon Gallman, producer; Russ Perkins, Bayer CropScience; Bill Odle, Valent; Keith Major, Gowan; and Scott Ludwig, Nichino.

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Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.10, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

3/26/2012 (SpiderMite(Nichino-2011)) AOV Means Table Page 1 of 1

Texas AgriLife Extension Service

Trial ID: Port2011 Protocol ID:Location: Jedon Gallman Farm Study Director:

Project ID: Investigator: Monti Vandiver Sponsor Contact:

Rating Date 7/20/2011 7/20/2011 7/20/2011 7/20/2011 7/28/2011 7/28/2011 7/28/2011 7/28/2011 7/28/2011Rating Type Mites 6SThrips ImmThrips Tot Thrips Mites CONTRO 6SThrips ImmThrips Tot ThripsRating Unit /leaf /leaf /leaf /leaf /leaf %UNCK /leaf /leaf /leafTrt-Eval Interval 0 DA-A -1 DA-A -1 DA-A -1 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A 7 DA-A

Treatment RateName Rate Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

UTC 81.10 a 0.30 a 0.40 a 0.7 a 2.55 a 0.0 c 0.20 a 2.05 bc 2.3 bc

Fenpyroximate 16 oz/a 41.70 a 0.35 a 0.50 a 0.9 a 0.85 b 39.3 b 0.35 a 1.75 bc 2.1 bcNIS 0.25 % v/v

Fenpyroximate 24 oz/a 33.90 a 0.50 a 0.40 a 0.9 a 0.85 b 39.8 b 0.10 a 1.40 bc 1.5 bcNIS 0.25 % v/v

Fenpyroximate 32 oz/a 57.55 a 0.50 a 0.50 a 1.0 a 0.50 b 74.5 a 0.20 a 2.80 ab 3.0 abNIS 0.25 % v/v

Comite II 48 fl oz/a 51.50 a 0.30 a 0.65 a 1.0 a 1.30 b 36.9 b 0.60 a 3.75 a 4.4 a

Oberon 4.25 fl oz/a 60.95 a 0.25 a 0.35 a 0.6 a 0.60 b 69.6 ab 0.20 a 1.00 c 1.2 cCOC 1 pt/a

Onager 10 fl oz/a 36.45 a 0.35 a 0.40 a 0.8 a 1.20 b 46.0 ab 0.50 a 1.70 bc 2.2 bcCOC 1 pt/a

Zeal 2 oz/a 30.65 a 0.35 a 0.35 a 0.7 a 0.45 b 43.1 ab 0.35 a 2.55 ab 2.9 abNIS 0.15 % v/v

LSD (P=.10) 40.795 0.494 0.442 0.69 0.902 33.93 0.295 1.470 1.55CV 68.1 111.89 81.94 69.83 71.44 63.87 77.6 56.85 52.4Grand Mean 49.23 0.36 0.44 0.81 1.04 43.65 0.31 2.13 2.44

Replicate F 1.283 0.375 1.094 0.120 1.423 5.619 2.862 0.235 0.377Replicate Prob(F) 0.3062 0.7720 0.3737 0.9475 0.2641 0.0055 0.0612 0.8708 0.7705Treatment F 1.031 0.204 0.312 0.247 3.411 2.660 1.980 2.112 2.383Treatment Prob(F) 0.4393 0.9809 0.9404 0.9675 0.0136 0.0389 0.1068 0.0874 0.0583

Rating Type CONTRO = control / burndown or knockdownRating Unit %UNCK = percent of untreated checkARM Action Codes T3 = [C2]+[C3] THT[1,5] = Henderson-Tilton([1],[5]) T4 = [C7]+[C8]

32

Evaluation of Preventative Treatments and Foliar Over Sprays for Control

of Thrips in Cotton, 2011

Cooperator: James Brown, Producer

David Kerns, Monti Vandiver and Bo Kesey Extension Entomologist-Cotton, CEA-IPM Bailey/Parmer Counties and

Extension Program Specialist-Cotton

Bailey County Summary:

The thrips population was low in this study so little useful information was generated. Essentially, Temik, Aeris and Avicta all performed well under low thrips pressure and foliar over sprays were unnecessary. The objective of this study was to determine the benefits of using foliar over sprays behind preventative applications of Temik, Aeris and Avicta Complete Cotton. Interestingly, at 28 days after emergence, adult thrips seemed to be more prevalent where the over sprays occurred. Perhaps adult thrips prefer to colonize where other thrips are not present.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to determine the benefits of using foliar over sprays behind preventative applications of Temik, Aeris and Avicta Complete Cotton.

Materials and Methods:

This test was conducted in a commercial cotton field near Muleshoe, TX. The field was planted on 10 May on 40-inch rows, and irrigated using pivot sprinkler irrigation. The experimental design was a 4 x 4 factorial with 4 replicates. Plots were 4-rows wide × 100 ft in length. The main factors were the preventative treatments which included: 1) untreated, 2) Aeris 3) Avicta Complete Cotton and 3) Temik at 5 lbs-product/acre. Aeris and Avicta CC are seed treatments, while Temik was applied in-furrow at planting at approximately 1.5-inches in depth.

33

The secondary factors were applications of foliar applied Orthene 97 at 3.0 oz-product/acre at: 1) untreated, 2) 1-2 true leaves (TL) stage, 3) 3-4 TL stage and 4) 1-2 and 3-4 TL stages. Foliar sprays were applied on a 50% band with a CO2 pressurized hand-boom sprayer calibrated to deliver 10 gpa through Teejet XR8003VS extended range flat spray tip nozzles (1 per row) at 30 psi. Beginning at the cotyledon stage, 5 plants per plot were collected into 1-pt jars containing 50% isopropyl alcohol. These samples were filtered and the WFT were counted using a stereo microscope. In addition to counting thrips, damage was assessed by subjectively rating each plot on a 1 to 5 scale where 1 = no damage, and 5 = extensive damage. The middle two rows of each plot was harvested on 25 Oct using a mechanized cottons tripper with an integrated scale. Grab samples were ginned at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Lubbock, TX to determine lint turnout values. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, and means were separated using an F-protected LSD (P ≤ 0.05).

Results and Discussion:

Because of very cool conditions post planting, this test was very slow to emerge. Thrips at this location were comprised on approximately 80% WFT and 20% OT. During the first two weeks post crop emergence, the thrips populations in this test were very low and there were no significant differences among treatments for thrips or damage, and no interactions were detected (Table 1). By 10 Jun, 21 DAE, conditions had become hot and the plants were developing quickly (Table 2). At this time the thrips population was still low, averaging about 1 thrips per plant and no significant differences were detected among treatments. At 28 DAE, on 17 Jun, the thrips population was still well below threshold; however significant interactions were detected for adult and total thrips. Usually by 28 DAE, none of the preventive at-planting treatments maintain activity when the thrips population is predominately WFTs. Thus, the significance of this interaction is not clear and appears to lack biological significance (Table 3). However, it was interesting that adult thrips seemed to be more prevalent where the over sprays occurred. Perhaps adult thrips prefer to colonize where other thrips are not present. None of the preventive (Factor A) treatments benefitted from any of the foliar over sprays of Orthene (Factor B). At no time was damage due to thrips high in this test, although plots that received Aeris, Avicta or Temik, regardless of the foliar overspray, did have slightly less damage than the untreated (Table 2). At 28 DAE, damage in the untreated had a mean rating of 2.25 which should not result in a reduction in yield. Consequently, there were no differences among treatments in yield.

Acknowledgments:

Appreciation is expressed to National Cotton Council and the Plains Cotton Improvement Program for financial support of this project.

34

Disclaimer Clause: Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for

better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas A&M University System is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment do not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary.

35

Table 1.

27 May cotyledon stage

(7 DAE & pre-foliar)a

3 Jun 1 true leaves stage

(14 DAE & pre-foliar)a No. thrips per 5 plants Damage

rating (1-5)

No. thrips per 5 plants Damage rating (1-5)

Treatment/ formualtionc adults immatures total adults immatures total Factor A Temik 15G 0.00 a 0.00 a 0.00 a 1.00 a 0.19 a 0.00 a 0.19 a 1.00 a Avicta CC 0.00 a 0.00 a 0.00 a 1.00 a 0.09 a 0.00 a 0.06 a 1.00 a Aeris 0.00 a 0.00 a 0.00 a 1.00 a 0.13 a 0.00 a 0.13 a 1.00 a Untreated 0.13 a 0.00 a 0.13 a 1.00 a 0.06 a 0.06 a 0.13 a 1.13 a Factor B 1-2 TL 0.06 a 0.00 a 0.06 a 1.00 a 0.06 a 0.06 a 0.19 a 1.00 a 3-4 TL 0.00 a 0.00 a 0.00 a 1.00 a 0.13 a 0.00 a 0.13 a 1.00 a 1-2 & 3-4 TL 0.00 a 0.00 a 0.00 a 1.00 a 0.13 a 0.00 a 0.13 a 1.00 a Untreated 0.06 a 0.00 a 0.06 a 1.00 a 0.13 a 0.00 a 0.13 a 1.00 a A*B interaction ns ns ns ns ns ns ns ns Means in a column within a factor followed by the same letter are not significantly different based on an F protected LSD (P ≥ 0.05). aDAE = days after emergence. bAvicta Complete Cotton is a mixture of Avicta 500FS at 0.15 mg(AI)/seed, Cruiser 5FS at 0.34 mg(AI)/seed, and Dynasty CST 125FS at 0.03 mg(AI)/seed; Aeris is a mixture of Gaucho Grande 5FS at 0.375 mg(AI)/seed and thiodicarb at 0.375 mg(AI)/seed; Avicta CC and Aeris were applied as a seed treatments; Temik was applied in-furrow at planting at 5 lbs-product per acre; foliar treatments consisted of Orthene 97 at 3 oz-product per acre.

36

Table 2.

10 Jun 2-3 true leaves stage

(21 DAE & 7 DAAP1)a

17 Jun 5 true leaves stage

(28 DAE & 7 DAAP2)a



Yield Oct 25

(lbs-lint/ac) Treatment/ formualtionb adults immatures total adults immatures total Factor A Temik 15G 4.75 a 0.50 a 5.25 a 1.00 a 9.44 0.00 a 9.44 1.00 b 1951.87 a Avicta CC 3.69 a 0.38 a 4.06 a 1.00 a 7.69 0.31 a 8.00 1.00 b 1863.81 a Aeris 3.63 a 0.31 a 3.94 a 1.00 a 7.63 0.13 a 7.75 1.06 b 1834.04 a Untreated 5.88 a 0.94 a 6.81 a 1.00 a 9.81 0.38 a 10.19 2.25 a 1999.59 a Factor B 1-2 TL 3.69 a 0.13 a 3.81 a 1.00 a 10.69 0.31 a 11.00 1.38 a 1867.19 a 3-4 TL 4.50 a 0.94 a 5.44 a 1.00 a 8.06 0.06 a 8.13 1.38 a 1881.58 a 1-2 & 3-4 TL 5.88 a 0.19 a 6.06 a 1.00 a 10.44 0.25 a 10.69 1.25 a 1951.16 a Untreated 3.88 a 0.88 a 4.75 a 1.00 a 5.38 0.19 a 5.56 1.31 a 1949.39 a A*B interaction ns ns ns ns P = 0.004c ns P = 0.003c ns ns Means in a column within a factor followed by the same letter are not significantly different based on an F protected LSD (P ≥ 0.05). aDAP = days after planting; DAAP = days after foliar application. bAvicta Complete Cotton is a mixture of Avicta 500FS at 0.15 mg(AI)/seed, Cruiser 5FS at 0.34 mg(AI)/seed, and Dynasty CST 125FS at 0.03 mg(AI)/seed; Aeris is a mixture of Gaucho Grande 5FS at 0.375 mg(AI)/seed and thiodicarb at 0.375 mg(AI)/seed; Avicta CC and Aeris were applied as a seed treatments; Temik was applied in-furrow at planting at 5 lbs-product per acre; foliar treatments consisted of Orthene 97 at 3 oz-product per acre. cSee Table 3 for interaction.

37

Table 3. 17 Jun

5 true leaves stage (28 DAE & 7 DAAP2)a

Treatment/formualtionc No. thrips per 5 plants Factor A Factor B adults total

Temik 15G

Untreated 7.50 cde 7.50 cde 1-2 TL 2.75 d 2.75 de 3-4 TL 8.50 bcd 8.50 cde

1-2 & 3-4 TL 19.00 a 19.00 a

Avicta CC

Untreated 0.50 e 0.75 e 1-2 TL 13.75 abc 14.25 abc 3-4 TL 7.25 cd 7.50 cde

1-2 & 3-4 TL 6.25 cd 9.50 bcd

Aeris

Untreated 9.25 bcd 9.50 bcd 1-2 TL 9.50 bcd 9.50 bcd 3-4 TL 7.25 cd 7.25 cde

1-2 & 3-4 TL 4.50 c 4.75 de

Untreated

Untreated 4.25 d 4.50 de 1-2 TL 16.75 ab 17.50 ab 3-4 TL 9.25 bcd 9.25 bcd

1-2 & 3-4 TL 9.00 bcd 9.50 bcd Means in a column within a factor followed by the same letter are not significantly different based on an F protected LSD (P ≥ 0.05). aDAE = days after planting; DAAP = days after foliar application. bAvicta Complete Cotton is a mixture of Avicta 500FS at 0.15 mg(AI)/seed, Cruiser 5FS at 0.34 mg(AI)/seed, and Dynasty CST 125FS at 0.03 mg(AI)/seed; Aeris is a mixture of Gaucho Grande 5FS at 0.375 mg(AI)/seed and thiodicarb at 0.375 mg(AI)/seed; Avicta CC and Aeris were applied as a seed treatments; Temik was applied in-furrow at planting at 5 lbs-product per acre; foliar treatments consisted of Orthene 97 at 3 oz-product per acre.

38


Evaluation of Several Fungicides in Irrigated Corn Terry Parham Farm, Muleshoe, TX - 2011

Monti Vandiver and Jason Woodward


Objective: Evaluation of several fungicides for disease suppression, primarily grey leaf spot (GLS), in tassel stage irrigated corn.

Treatments: 1. Headline SC @ 6 oz/ac 5. Stratego YLD @ 4 oz/ac 1. Headline AMP @ 10 oz/ac 6. Evito @ 2 oz/ac 2. Priaxor @ 4 oz/ac 7. Untreated Check 3. Quilt Ecel @ 10.5 oz/ac

Materials and Methods: This test was conducted on a producer’s field located near Muleshoe, TX; the experimental area was planted to a corn hybrid susceptible to GLS. The experiment was arranged in a RCB with 4 replications. Plots were 4 rows wide (30 inch centers) by 50 ft long. Fungicides were applied at tassel with a CO2 pressurized backpack sprayer calibrated to deliver 15.8 gpa through TwinJet® Twin Flat Spray Tips (TJ8002VS) nozzles at 60 psi. An overhead boom with nozzles placed 30 inches apart was used. A nonionic surfactant was mixed with the fungicides at 0.25% v/v. No GLS lesions were apparent at application. The ear leaf was sampled at the full dent stage on 5 plants per plot and the number and weighted value of GLS lesions were estimated. The weighted value was based on the number and size of GLS lesions where small (<0.5 in), medium (0.5-1.0 in) and large (>1.0 in) lesions were assigned a a value of 1,2 or 3 respectively (i.e. i.e. 0 small, 28 medium and 20 large lesions resulted in a weighted value of 116). Both silage an grain yield data were collected. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using Fischers' Protected least significant difference test (P=0.05).

Results and Conclusions The fungicide treatments numerically reduced the on the ear leaf but no statistical significance was observed. No difference was present in either wet weight or dry matter silage yields. Grain yields were highly variable ranging from 179 to 214 bu/ac but no significant difference was observed between treatments and did not correspond to the number and/or weighted value of GLS lesions. Acknowledgements:

We would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to this trial: Terry Parham, producer; Jarman Seed, provided hybrid corn seed; and BASF.

39

YieldTreatment Rate1 Wet matter2 Dry matter2 Lesions per leaf3 Weighted value4 (bu/A)Non-treated control --- 10.9 4.4 13.7 225.3 184.5Headline SC 6.0 11.1 4.6 7.1 63.5 213.5Headline AMP 10.0 10.9 4.5 7.6 95.8 208.5Priaxor 4.0 11.0 4.4 7.4 95.0 176.9Quilt Xcel 10.5 11.2 4.6 9.0 106.8 181.8Stratego YLD 4.0 10.6 4.5 2.5 27.3 178.6Evito 2.0 10.2 4.3 11.3 157.3 190.8LSD5 ns ns ns ns ns ns1 Rates included NIS at 0.25%. 2Data are the sum of five plants per plot. 3Average number of GLS les ions per ear leaf. N=5 leaves per

treatment per plot. 4 A weighted va lue was ass igned based on the s ize and number of the les ions . Smal l (<0.5 in), Medium (0.5-1.0 in) and Large (>1.0 in) were ass igned a va lue of 1, 2 and 3, respectively. (i .e. 0 smal l , 28 medium and 20 large les ions resul ted in a weighted va lue of 116). 5 LSD = Fischers ' Protected least s igni ficant di fference test (P =0.05).

Silage weights (lb/plot) Gray leaf spot

Table 1. Silage and grain yield and disease ratings from a replicated fungicide trial in corn, Terry Parham Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

40

DECLARE AND SUFOXAFLOR INSECTICIDES FOR CONTROL OF GREENBUGS

IN WINTER WHEAT – 2011

E. D. Bynum

Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center

6500 Amarillo Blvd., West

Amarillo, TX 79106

Phone: 806-677-5612

Fax: 806-677-5644

E-mail: [email protected]

M. Vandiver

E-mail: [email protected]

Greenbug (GB); Schizaphis graminum (Rodani)

The trial was conducted in a sprinkler pivot irrigated wheat field near Friona, TX with treatments

(Table 1) being applied on 11 Apr. Applications were made with a hand-carried CO2

pressurized boom calibrated to spray 14.5 gpa and held ca. 20 in. above the wheat. There were 5

(XR8002VS) nozzles on 20 in. centers which treated the middle 8 ft of each 11 ft wide plot. The

experiment was arranged in a RCB with 4 replications. Plots were 11 ft wide by 35 ft long. The

GB density (nymphs and adults) was counted from each of two linear ft drill row per plot.

Counts were taken three days before treatment 8 Apr (Pre-trt) and at 14 Apr (3 DAT), 18 Apr (7

DAT), and 22 Apr (11 DAT) days after treatment (DAT). Data were analyzed using PROC

41

GLM analysis of variance (SAS, 2009) and means were separated with Tukey’s studentized

range test (P=0.10).

On 8 April (pretreatment count), GB averaged 39.76 per linear row ft across all treatments and

no statistical differences among treatments. At each of the 3, 7, and 11 DAT counts, all

treatments had fewer GB than the untreated and all of the insecticide treatments did not differ

statistically. However, at 3 DAT three of four sulfoxaflor treatments and one Declare treatment

had statistically similar numbers of GB as the untreated. And, at 7 DAT, both of the Declare

treatments without the mixture with Nufos had statistically similar GB numbers as the untreated.

Then by 11 DAT none of the insecticide treatments were statistically similar to the untreated.

This may indicate the insecticide efficacy of both Declare and sulfoxaflor is initially slower than

the applications of Declare plus Nufos, Lorsban Advanced, and Warrior II. The handling

properties of sulfoxaflor was good and phytotoxicity was not detected.

42

Table 1.

Mean GB / Linear Row Ft Drill Row

Treatment /

formulation

Rate, lb

AI /acre Pre-trt 3 DAT 7 DAT 11 DAT

Declare 1.25CS 0.0125 32.0 a 1.0 b 7.8 ab 5.13 b

Declare 1.25CS 0.015 50.9 a 4.3 ab 7.5 ab 0.75 b

Declare 1.25CS+

Nufos 4E

0.01 +

0.188 36.5 a 2.3 b 5.0 b 0.5 b

Sulfoxaflor 50WG 0.011 41.3 a 10.2 ab 6.5 b 1.5 b


Sulfoxaflor 50WG 0.022 34.9 a 3.67 b 4.1 b 0.63 b


Lorsban Advance 0.25 32.0 a 1.0 b 0.8 b 1.13 b

Warrior II 0.031 63.0 a 2.8 b 0.4 b 2.5 b

Untreated 28.1 a 13.5 a 15.9 a 12.25 a

P> F (Anova) 0.1949 0.0002 <0.0001 <0.0001

aMeans in a column followed by the same letter are not significantly different according

to Tukey’s studentized range test (P=0.10, SAS Institute 2009).

43

Part II. Materials Tested for Arthropod Management

Brand

Name

Form-

ulation

Common

Name

Composition Manufacturer

Declare 1.25 CS gamma-

cyhalothrin

3-(2-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-

propenyl)-2,2-dimethyl,cyano(3-

phenoxyphenyl) methyl ester

Cheminova, Inc.

Research

Triangle Park,

NC

Nufos 4E chlorpyrifos O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-

pyridinyl) phosphorothioate

Cheminova, Inc.

Research

Triangle Park,

NC

50WG sulfoxaflor N-[methyloxido[1-[6-

(trifluoromethyl)-3-

pyridinyl]ethyl]-γ4-

sulfanylidene]cyanamide

Dow

AgroSciences,

LLC

Indianapolis, IN

Lorsban

Advanced

3.755 chlorpyrifos O,O-diethyl-O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-

pyridinyl) phosphorothioate

Dow

AgroSciences,

LLC

Indianapolis, IN

Warrior II 2.08 CS Lambda-

cyhalothrin

[1(S*),3 (Z)]-(±)-cyano-(3-

phenoxyphenyl)methyl-3-(2-

chloro-3,3,3-trifluoro-1-propenyl)-

2,2-

dimethylcyclopropanecarboxylate

Syngenta Crop

Protection, Inc.

Greensboro, NC

44


Glytol Cotton Variety Trial

Daniel Schacher Farm, Muleshoe, TX - 2011


Objective: To evaluate and compare 4 Glytol cotton varieties to a standard Roundup Ready variety in a strip tilled irrigated production system. Varieties evaluated in the trial were FM 2011GT, FM 9101GT, FM 9103GT, FM 9250GL and FM 9058F.

Materials and Methods: This test was conducted in a commercial cotton field near Muleshoe, TX and was irrigated using pivot sprinkler irrigation system. The test was a RCB design with 4 replications. Plots were 6-30 inch rows wide × 2500 ft in length. Treatments included 5 different cotton cultivars with the similar seed treatment packages planted May 11. Plant population and structure data were collected during the growing season. Whole plots were machine harvested using a JD 7460 harvester with a field cleaner November 7. Gin turnouts for lint and seed were determined from grab samples taken by plot at harvest and ginned at the Bayer CropScience gin lab. Lint samples were submitted to the Texas Tech University - Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute for HVI analysis, and USDA Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) loan values were determined for each variety by plot. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 5% probability level.

Production Practices Seeding rate - 56,000 seed/acre At planting insecticide – Aeris seed treatment Weed management –Roundup OTT, Roundup + Dual OTT, Roundup OTT Harvest aid – ethephon + Folex + ET Irrigation – limited Fertility – 100 lbs/ac N, 30 lbs/ac P2O5, 20 lbs/ac S

Results and Conclusions Slight differences were observed in plant stand, early season vigor at 4-6 true leaves and in early bloom plant height (Table 1). FM 2011 exhibited the greatest lint yield even though it was the shortest variety in the trial. (Table 2). All varieties had similar numbers of bolls/12 feet and percent open bolls October 12. FM 2011 had the best storm proof rating of 7.8 vs. the trial average of 6.9. Mean fiber property values are presented in Table 3, plot samples were combined and classed by variety and could not be analyzed.

Acknowledgements: I would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to this trial: Marshall Pool, Producer; Jordan Pool, Producer; Daniel Olivier, Bayer CropScience; and Curtis Preston, CEA-Ag.

45


FM 2011GT 4.3 a 21.5 ab 8.0 a 7.0 a 6.3 a 15.3 a 16.2 cFM 9058F 4.5 a 22.5 a 7.0 bc 7.9 a 6.5 a 15.9 a 16.5 bcFM 9101GT 4.0 a 19.0 b 6.8 c 7.7 a 6.3 a 15.5 a 17.0 abFM 9103GT 4.5 a 22.8 a 7.5 ab 6.9 a 6.6 a 15.0 a 17.5 aFM 9250GL 4.5 a 24.3 a 8.0 a 7.6 a 6.6 a 15.3 a 16.9 ab

LSD (P=.05) NS 3.17 0.63 NS NS NS 0.703CV 7.27 9.34 5.48 8.82 7.84 3.06 2.72Grand Mean 4.35 22 7.45 7.38 6.43 15.39 16.8Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.NAWF = nodes above white flowerSDVIGOR = seedling vigorVIGOR46 = vigor at 4-6 true leaf stageNFFB = node of first fruiting branchNAWF = nodes above white flowerEBTN = early bloom total nodesEBHGT = early bloom plant height

Table 1. Vigor ratinmgs, plant stand and mid-season plant mapping results from a LESA irrigated cotton variety trial, Daniel Schacher Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

0.1586 0.0383 0.0025 0.2009 0.7745 0.1523 0.0135

7/22/20116/10/2011 6/10/2011 7/22/2011 7/22/2011 7/22/2011plants vigor node nodes nodes

5/24/2011

Plants/10" VIGOR46 NFFBinches

NAWF EBTN EBHGTSDVIGORvigor

46


FM 2011GT 14.4 b 17.5 b 47.3 a 56.5 a 7.8 a 635 aFM 9058F 15.6 a 18.8 a 47.5 a 47.6 a 7.0 b 471 dFM 9101GT 16.6 a 17.8 b 54.3 a 51.2 a 7.0 b 591 bFM 9103GT 16.1 a 17.2 b 43.5 a 46.1 a 5.5 c 564 bcFM 9250GL 15.5 ab 18.0 ab 40.8 a 47.5 a 7.0 b 551 c

LSD (P=.05) 1.092 0.927 NS NS 0.74 30CV 4.53 3.37 21.51 24.74 7.05 3.5Grand Mean 15.64 17.84 46.65 49.78 6.85 563Treatment Prob(F)Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

0.4318 0.7601 0.0004 0.0001

Table 2. Late-season plant mapping and harvest results from a LESA irrigated cotton variety trial, Daniel Schacher Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

0.0124 0.0312

8/12/2011 8/12/2011 10/12/2011 11/7/2011bolls % open rating lbs/ac

Lint Yieldinches nodesHeight Total Nodes Bolls/12' Open Bolls Storm

47

Description Turnout Mic Length Strength Unif. LoanPart Rated % lint units inches g/tex % $/lb

FM 2011GT 38.0 4.0 1.12 31.3 82.2 0.5551FM 9058F 35.3 4.7 1.15 29.6 82.9 0.5726FM 9101GT 37.5 4.8 1.11 31.4 82.3 0.5698FM 9103GT 36.8 4.5 1.13 29.7 81.6 0.5685FM 9250GL 35.5 4.8 1.13 32.9 82.1 0.5674

Table 3. Fiber property and loan value results from a LESA irrigated cotton variety trial, Daniel Schacher Farm, Muleshoe, TX, 2011.

48

Development of a Binomial Sampling Plan to Estimate Thrips Populations in Cotton to Aid in IPM Decision Making, 2011

Cooperators: James Brown, Boyd Jackson, Chad Harris, Texas Agrilife Research

and Extension Center- Halfway, TX, AgCares- Lamesa TX and Jimmy Wedel, Producers

David Kerns, Mark Muegge, Monti Vandiver, Warren Multer, Dustin Patman, Bo

Kesey and Megha Parajulee

Extension Entomologist-Cotton, Extension Entomologist-Cotton, EA-IPM Bailey/Parmer Counties, EA-IPM Glasscock/Reagan/Upton Counties, EA-IPM Crosby/Floyd Counties, Extension Program Specialist-Cotton and Research

Entomologist-Cotton

South Plains, High Plains, Permian Basin, Trans Pecos Summary:

Thrips are a serious early-season pest of cotton throughout much of the U.S. cotton belt. They have been demonstrated to cause a 21% average yield loss to irrigated cotton on the Texas High Plains. Currently, much of the cotton on the Texas High Plains is protected from thrips damage preventively by the use of in-furrow and seed-applied insecticides. However, where thrips are not perennial pests, preventive insecticide use may not be necessary and foliar curative actions may be more economical. Additionally, many growers are interested in eliminating at planting preventive pesticide applications for thrips management as a means of reducing early season production costs. Currently, thrips in Texas are sampled using a whole plant inspection method where all the thrips are counted. This technique is time consuming, tedious, difficult, and may lead to inaccurate results depending on the scout’s experience. Enumerative sampling can also increase sampling effort relative to a presence absence sample plan. Thus, the efficiency of visual sampling was compared to a cup sampling method. Additionally, binomial or presence/absence sampling was compared to enumerative sampling for both sampling methods.

Objective:

Objectives of this study are as follows: 1. Develop and compare enumerative and

49

binomial sampling plans for estimating thrips densities in seedling cotton, 2. Evaluate to thrips sampling techniques (visual & cup), 3. Develop the most cost reliable sample plan and method for making thrips management decisions in seedling cotton.

Materials and Methods: Data for this study collected from commercial cotton fields across 14 different locations in the panhandle, South Plains, Rolling Plains and west central regions of Texas. Thrips were sampled in each cotton field that was left untreated by foliar and/or preventative treatments for thrips. Every leaf from individual plants were examined for thrips from crop emergence to the 5 true leaf stage. Fifty sampling bouts per field were conducted for each sampling method. Each sampling bout consisted of three plants. Thrips data were recorded as thrips per 3 plant sample unit for all analyses.

Two sample plans (enumerative and binomial) and methods (visual and 16oz plastic cup) were evaluated (Figure 1). Individual plants were removed from the soil by gently grasping the cotton stem at the soil line and pulling straight up. Then the cotton plant was either subjected to visual or the cup sample method. Visual inspection was accomplished using a sharpened pencil to pry apart folded or creased leaf tissue to expose hidden thrips then adults and nymphs were counted and recorded. The cup method was employed by inserting the cotton plant into the cup and shaking vigorously for several seconds to dislodge any thrips on the plant into the cup. Adult and nymph thrips dislodged into the cup were counted and recorded, then discarded. Taylor’s parameters were determined for combined thrips adult and nymph age classes. This was done because thrips age classes are not currently differentiated when scouting and making management decisions for thrips in cotton. Because plant age can influence thrips spatial pattern, sample data was separated into 6 age classes, with 0 representing the cotyledon stage and numbers 1 through 5 represent 1 through 5 true leaves. Both methods were used to determine the proportion of cotton leaves infested to mean thrips density relationship (Wilson and Room 1983). The relationship of the mean and proportion of thrips infested cotton sample units was determined by:

P(I)=1-e-m[LN(amb-1)/(amb-1-1)]

where P(I)=the proportion of thrips infested leaves, a and b are parameters from Taylor’s power law (1961), and m=the mean density at which a management decision is needed. Taylor’s power law parameters were determined by iterative non-linear regression and used to develop the binomial and enumerative sample plans. As science based economic thresholds have not been established for thrips in cotton, an empirically derived nominal threshold of 1 thrips per cotton leaf was used in this study. The optimal fixed sample size for estimating this threshold for enumerative and binomial sampling was determined using the following equations presented by Wilson et. al. (1983b). A consideration of cost, expressed as time to collect the sample, is especially important in selecting sampling methods and plans for use in commercial field monitoring programs. Relative-cost reliability was determined following Wilson (1994) and takes into consideration the time to take the sample and the required number of samples needed to make a management decision.

50


Taylor’s power law effectively modeled the thrips mean/variance relationship for all plant age classes and both sample methods (Table 1). Regardless of sample method or plant age class thrips appeared to follow an aggregated spatial pattern as evidenced by Taylor’s parameter exceeding 1. However, neither sample method nor plant age class appeared to influence this spatial pattern as no trend was evident across plant age classes. The relationship between observed and estimated proportion infested leaves was strong with R2 values in excess of 0.83 for both sample methods across all ages classes Because the nominal ET of 1 thrips per leaf is so low, regardless of plant age class, nearly all samples would be classified as infested thus, a truncated binomial sample plan was necessary to discriminate across thrips densities. A truncated binomial sampling plan requires the sample to have one or more thrips to be classified as infested. This value, referred to as a tally threshold, was determined for each age class based on how well the predicted proportion of infested plants modeled the observed proportion of infested plants. The tally thresholds for each class and sample method are presented in (Table 2) in addition to the required sample number for both enumerative and truncated binomial sample plans. (Table 3) lists the required proportion of infested plant samples needed to estimated the ET of one thrips per leaf. The enumerative sampling plans required more samples, regardless of plant age class, to estimate the thrips ET=1 relative to the truncated binomial sample plans. Among the enumerative sample plans the cup method required fewer samples and less time to take samples relative to the visual sample plan (Table 2). The average sample times for the enumerative sample plan were 79.1 and 43.6 seconds per sample for the cup and visual sample methods respectively. Although, sample time has not been determined for the sample methods of the truncated binomial sample plan, both sample methods require fewer samples. Because fewer thrips counts are necessary to estimate thrips ET=1 the truncated binomial sample plans would presumably be more cost effective than the enumerative sample methods. Definitive answers will be determined during sample plan validation this year.

Acknowledgments:

This project was funded by Cotton Incorporated CORE Projects and in part by the Plains Cotton Improvement Program.

References:

Wilson, L.T. and P.M. Room. 1983a. Clumping patterns of fruit and arthropods in cotton, with implications for binomial sampling. Environ. Entomol. 12: 50-54.

Wilson, L.T., C. Pickel, R.C. Mount, and F.G. Zalom. 1983b. Presence-absence sequential sampling for cabbage aphid and green peach aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) on Brussels sprouts. J. Econ. Entomol. 76: 476-479.

Wilson, L.T. 1994. Estimating Abundance, Impact, and Interactions Among Arthropods in Cotton Agroecosystems. In: Handbook of Sampling Methods for Arthropods in Agriculture. Eds. L.P. Pedigo and G. David Buntin. CRC Press, Inc. 714 pp.

51

Table 1. a and b of Taylor’s power law and coefficient of determination.

Plant Age Class a b R2

Cup Sample Method

0 (Cotyledon) 1.1816 1.2221 0.74

1 True Leaf 0.8076 1.7784 0.97

2 True Leaf 1.4116 1.3177 0.97

3 True Leaf 1.0114 1.4243 0.94

4 True Leaf 0.7714 1.8247 0.99

5 True Leaf 1.724 1.2192 0.99

Visual Sample Method

0 (Cotyledon) 1.8400 1.0764 0.82

1 True Leaf 1.0320 1.6056 0.99

2 True Leaf 1.8062 1.2739 0.98

3 True Leaf 1.4344 1.5565 0.99

4 True Leaf 1.1967 1.5929 0.99

5 True Leaf 1.5833 1.5177 0.99

Figure 1. Visual sampling method (left) and cup sampling method (right).

52

Table 2. Required number of samples needed to estimate the nominal threshold of 1 thrips per

cotton leaf. For the binomial sample plan, plant tally thresholds are given in parenthesis.

Enumerative

Sampling Binomial Sampling

Plant Age Class Cup Visual Cup Visual

0 (Cotyledon) 19 22 16 (3) 20 (3)

1 True Leaf 31 32 11 (3) 10 (3)

2 True Leaf 16 31 13 (4) 14 (4)

3 True Leaf 14 40 5 (4) 8 (4)

4 True Leaf 29 36 16 (6) 21 (7)

5 True Leaf 10 42 7 (6) 6 (6)

Table 3. Proportion infested (PI) samples needed at each plant age class to estimate and ET=1

thrips/cotton leaf.

Proportion Infested (PI)

Plant Age Class Cup Visual

0 (Cotyledon) 0.85 0.77

1 True Leaf 0.85 0.87

2 True Leaf 0.83 0.82

3 True Leaf 0.93 0.89

4 True Leaf 0.79 0.75

5 True Leaf 0.90 0.91

53

54

Evaluation of In-furrow and Foliar treatments for Thrips Control in Cotton, 2011

Cooperator: Kendall Devalt, Producer

David Kerns and Monti Vandiver

Extension Entomologist-Cotton and EA-IPM Bailey/Parmer County

Parmer County Summary:

Because thrips numbers were low in this test it is difficult to draw any concrete conclusions regarding the efficacy of any of the insecticides evaluated. However, we did note that Thimet at high rates (9.0 oz/100 row-ft) may be phytotoxic to cotton. Additionally, thrips tended to be highest where a pyrethroid was used.

Objective:

The objective of this study was to test the insecticidal efficacy of Thimet relative to Temik and to evaluate several foliar insecticides for control of thrips in cotton.


This test was conducted in a commercial cotton field near Farwell, TX. The field was planted on 11 May on 30-inch rows, and irrigated using pivot sprinkler irrigation. The variety was FM 2011GT. The test was a RCB design with four replications. Plots were 4-rows wide × 100 ft in length. Thimet and Temik was applied in-furrow at planting at approximately 1.5-inches in depth. Foliar applications evaluated included Bidrin 8, Orthene 97, Radiant, Tracer and Ammo. Foliar sprays were applied on a 50% band with a CO2 pressurized hand-boom sprayer calibrated to deliver 10 gpa through Teejet XR8003VS extended range flat spray tip nozzles (1 per row) at 30 psi. Foliar applications were made on 27 May and 3 and 10 June. Adult and immature western flower thrips were sampled by visually inspecting 10 whole plants per plot. Plant height was measured on 16 June as an assessment of phytotoxicity. Ten plants were measured per plot from the soil surface to the terminal using a straight-edge ruler.

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Data were analyzed with ANOVA, and means were separated using an F-protected LSD (P ≤ 0.05).


Due to the severe drought conditions experienced during 2011, thrips numbers were low in this test. At 16 days after planting (DAP) and prior to any foliar sprays thrips numbers were very low and there were no differences among treatments (Table 1). On 3 June, 21 DAP and 7 DAT, application 1, the Ammo treated plots had the more adult thrips than the untreated. None of the other insecticide treatment differed from the untreated. At 28 DAP and 7 DAT, application 2, there were no detectable differences in the number of thrips among treatments. At 37 DAP and 7 DAT, application 3, there were more adult thrips in the Temik at 5 lbs/ac than in the untreated (Table 2). None of the other treatments differed from the untreated. This response is sometimes observed shortly after a in-furrow or seed treatment product loses residual activity. At 27 DAP, none of the soil applied treatment would likely still have any residual activity. Plants treated with Thimet, particularly at the higher rates appeared to be stunted. Plant height measurements suggest that Thimet at 9.0 oz/100 row-ft exhibits phytotoxic effects on seedling cotton.

Acknowledgments:

Appreciation is expressed to AMVAC, Dow and the Plains Cotton Improvement Program for financial support of this project.

Disclaimer Clause:

Trade names of commercial products used in this report are included only for better understanding and clarity. Reference to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by the Texas A&M University System is implied. Readers should realize that results from one experiment do not represent conclusive evidence that the same response would occur where conditions vary.

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Table 1.

Treatment/ Formulationa Rate amt product/acre

27 May – cotyledon stage (16 DAP; pre-foliar)

3 Jun – 1 true leaf stage (21 DAP; 7 DAT APP1)

10 Jun – 3 true leaf stage (30 DAP; 7 DAT APP2)

Thrips per plant

Thrips per plant Thrips per plant

immatures adults total immatures adults total immatures adults total Untreated -- 0.00a 0.00a 0.00a 0.03a 0.05bcd 0.08bc 0.00a 0.13a 0.13a Thimet 20G 3.3 oz/1000 row-ft 0.00a 0.10a 0.10a 0.00a 0.08a-d 0.08bc 0.00a 0.13a 0.13a Thimet 20G 6 oz/1000 row-ft 0.00a 0.05a 0.05a 0.00a 0.03cd 0.03c 0.03a 0.13a 0.16a Thimet 20G 9 oz/1000 row-ft 0.00a 0.08a 0.08a 0.03a 0.03cd 0.05bc 0.00a 0.15a 0.15a Temik 15G 3.5 lb 0.00a 0.05a 0.05a 0.00a 0.13ab 0.13ab 0.00a 0.15a 0.15a Temik 15G 5.0 lb 0.00a 0.03a 0.03a 0.00a 0.05bcd 0.05bc 0.00a 0.15a 0.15a Bidrin 8 3.2 fl-oz 0.00a 0.08a 0.08a 0.03a 0.05bcd 0.08bc 0.00a 0.15a 0.15a Orthene 97 3 oz 0.00a 0.08a 0.08a 0.00a 0.05bcd 0.05bc 0.00a 0.13a 0.13a Vydate C-LV 17 fl-oz 0.00a 0.00a 0.00a 0.03a 0.00d 0.03c 0.00a 0.23a 0.23a Radiant SC 1.5 fl-oz 0.00a 0.10a 0.10a 0.00a 0.10abc 0.10bc 0.00a 0.18a 0.18a Tracer 2.14 fl-oz 0.00a 0.03a 0.03a 0.00a 0.13ab 0.13ab 0.00a 0.08a 0.08a Ammo 2.5 EC 1.3 fl-oz 0.00a 0.15a 0.15a 0.05a 0.15a 0.20a 0.00a 0.10a 0.10a Values in a column followed by the same letter are not different based an F protected LSD (P ≥ 0.05). aVydate included Penetrator Plus at 1% v/v; spray pH = 6.

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Table 2.

Rate amt product/acre

17 June – 5-6 true leaf stage (37 DAP; 7 DAT APP3)

Treatment/ Formulationa

Thrips per plant

Plant Height

(inches) immatures adults total Untreated -- 0.28a 0.63bcd 0.90a 3.48a Thimet 20G 3.3 oz/1000 row-ft 0.08a 0.43d 0.50a 3.44a Thimet 20G 6 oz/1000 row-ft 0.15a 0.85abc 1.00a 3.36a Thimet 20G 9 oz/1000 row-ft 0.00a 0.68bcd 0.68a 2.93b Temik 15G 3.5 lb 0.05a 0.60bcd 0.65a 3.46a Temik 15G 5.0 lb 0.15a 1.10a 1.25a 3.60a Bidrin 8 3.2 fl-oz 0.13a 0.53cd 0.65a 3.36a Orthene 97 3 oz 0.10a 0.70bcd 0.80a 3.68a Vydate C-LV 17 fl-oz 0.10a 0.95ab 1.05a 3.59a Radiant SC 1.5 fl-oz 0.00a 0.60bcd 0.90a 3.52a Tracer 2.14 fl-oz 0.08a 0.55cd 0.50a 3.58a Ammo 2.5 EC 1.3 fl-oz 0.10a 0.83abc 1.00a 3.59a Values in a column followed by the same letter are not different based an F protected LSD (P ≥ 0.05). aVydate included Penetrator Plus at 1% v/v; spray pH = 6.

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Replicated Corn Hybrid Trial

Kelly Kettner Farm, Muleshoe, TX - 2011

Curtis Preston and Monti Vandiver Texas Agrilife Extension Service

Objective: Evaluate 10 Bt corn hybrids in a no-till sprinkler irrigated production system.

Hybrids: 1. Channel 211-99 2. Channel 214-14 3. Croplan 6926 4. Dekalb 64-69 5. Dekalb 66-96 6. Integra 9676 7. Mycogen 2A7987 8. Mycogen 2V738 9. Pioneer 33D49 10. Pioneer 33Y75


• Experimental design - randomized complete block with 3 replications • Plot size – 6 rows (30 inch) X variable length - .35 acres/plot harvested • Planting date – April 28 • Seeding rate 32,000 seed/acre • Irrigation – full • Fertility (lbs/ac) – 10 tons manure + 350 lbs N (28-0-0-5) + Starter at plant • Previous crop - fallow • Heat unit accumulation (DD 50) – 4224 (nearest weather station) • Harvest date – September 23 • Yields adjusted to 15.5% moisture

Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and when a significant F test was observed, mean separation was performed using the least significant difference (LSD) at the 5% probability level.

Results and Conclusions While this trial was planted in a full irrigated production system the extreme heat and moisture demands severely stressed the corn during grain fill and yields were reduced near 50%. Harvest moisture ranged from 12.5 to 21.67 for Channel 211-99 and Dekalb 66-96 respectively (Table 1). The Croplan 6926 and Mycogen 2A7987 exhibited the heaviest bu weight exceeding 58 lbs/bu. Lodging ranged from less than 1% in Croplan 6926 to more than 16% in Integra 9676 and Mycogen 2V738. The trial average yield was 7,228 with few separations between hybrids.

Acknowledgements: We would like to acknowledge and thank the following for their contributions to this trial: Kelly Kettner, producer, Channel, CropLan Genetics, Dekalb, Integra, Mycogen and Pioneer.

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Rating DateRating Data TypeRating UnitChannel 211-99 12.5 e 57.3 cd 6.0 b 7605 a 136 aChannel 214-14 17.3 bc 57.5 bcd 2.0 bc 7449 ab 133 abCroplan 6926 15.6 d 58.3 ab 0.7 c 7716 a 138 aDekalb 64-69 16.3 cd 56.3 ef 2.3 bc 7681 a 137 aDekalb 66-96 21.7 a 56.3 ef 5.0 bc 7174 abc 128 abcIntegra 9676 18.0 b 56.0 f 16.7 a 7719 a 138 aMycogen 2A7987 14.9 d 59.0 a 1.0 c 6961 abc 124 abcMycogen 2V738 15.4 d 56.7 def 17.7 a 6908 abc 123 abcPioneer 33D49 18.5 b 57.0 cde 2.3 bc 6372 c 114 cPioneer 33Y75 18.8 b 57.7 bc 4.3 bc 6692 bc 119 bc

LSD (P=.05) 1.585 0.95 4.66 846.86 15.06CV 5.45 0.96 46.8 6.69 6.66Grand Mean 16.89 57.21 5.8 7227.76 129.06Treatment Prob(F) 0.0001 0.0001 0.0001 0.034 0.0332Means followed by same letter do not significantly differ (P=.05, LSD)Mean comparisons performed only when AOV Treatment P(F) is significant at mean comparison OSL.

Rating Unit % = percent BU = bushel* yield adjusted to 15.5% moisture

Table 1. Harvest and yield data from a large plot replicated corn hybrid trial, Kelly Ketner Farm, Muleshoe Texas, 2011.

lbs BU

9/23/2011Moisture

%

9/23/2011BU Wt

lbs

9/23/2011 9/23/2011 9/23/2011Lodging Yield/ac* Yield/ac

%

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Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Cotton Varieties

January 2012

Dr. Mark Kelley, Extension Agronomist - Cotton Mr. Chris Ashbrook, Extension Assistant - Cotton


Characteristics commonly evaluated in small-plot testing include lint yield, turnout percentages, fiber quality, and earliness. Current small-plot variety testing programs are inadequate in scale and design to investigate the economic impact of new transgenic varieties with value-added traits. The objective of this project was to evaluate the profitability of cotton varieties in producers' fields in the Texas High Plains. Three replications of each variety were included at the Farwell and Plains locations with four replications at the Mount Blanco location. Plots were of sufficient size at Plains and Blanco to enable the combining of all replications of each individual variety into a single module at harvest. Each individual variety had at least three acres total (approximately one acre per plot with three replications equals three acres total). At the Farwell location, in order to include a greater number of varieties, plot sizes were reduced and grab samples were taken at harvest for ginning and fiber quality analysis. Plot weights were determined at harvest using a boll buggy with integral electronic scales. Modules from the Mount Blanco location were followed through the ginning process to determine lint turnout, USDA-AMS fiber quality, and CCC loan value. In 2011 (a year characterized by extreme drought, high temperatures and unrelenting winds at planting) yields were well below normal. A total of three locations were initiated in 2011. Fourteen varieties were included at the Farwell and Mount Blanco sites, and the Plains location included 19 varieties. However, the Plains location was lost to extreme drought conditions and sustained high winds shortly after planting. The Farwell and Mount Blanco locations were well maintained by the cooperating producers, but the continued drought conditions took a toll on variety yields. Lint yields averaged 881 lb/acre and 441 lb/acre at the Farwell and Mount Blanco sites, respectively. Lint loan values derived from grab samples taken at harvest at the Farwell site averaged $0.5500/lb and ranged from a high of $0.5705/lb for FiberMax 2484B2F to a low of $0.5275/lb for FiberMax 1740B2F. Average loan values of commercially ginned bales from Mount Blanco ranged from a high of $0.5367 for FiberMax 9180B2F to $0.4895 for Deltapine 1032B2RF with a test average of $0.5095/lb. After adding lint and seed values and subtracting out ginning and seed and technology fee costs, the Farwell site net value per acre ranged from a low of $365.78 for Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF to a high of $615.78 for FiberMax 2011GT. A total of 4 varieties were in the statistical upper tier at this location and included FiberMax 2011GT, FiberMax 2484B2F, NexGen 4111RF and FiberMax 9250GL. The Mount Blanco site test average net value per acre was $214.74 and ranged from a high of $242.87 for FiberMax 2011GT to a low of $178.68 for Deltapine 1032B2RF. At this location, eight varieties were included in the statistical upper tier in terms of net value per acre, and included FiberMax 2011GT, FiberMax 9180B2F, Deltapine 1044B2RF, FiberMax 9103GT, NexGen 4111RF, FiberMax 9170B2F, All-Tex Dinero B2RF, and Deltapine 10R011B2RF. These data indicate that substantial differences can be observed in terms of net value/acre due to variety and technology selection. The differences in net value/acre, when comparing the top and bottom varieties were approximately $250 at Farwell and $64 at Blanco. Additional multi-site and multi-year applied research is needed to evaluate varieties across a series of environments.

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62

Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Cotton Varieties

February 2012

Dr. Mark Kelley, Extension Agronomist - Cotton Mr. Chris Ashbrook, Extension Assistant - Cotton


Introduction

Small-plot cotton variety testing generally includes evaluation of genetic components but not genetics in concert with management programs. Characteristics commonly evaluated in small-plot testing include lint yield, turnout percentages, fiber quality, and earliness. Over the last several years, High Plains cotton producers have increased planted acreage of transgenic cotton (glyphosate- and glufosinate-herbicide tolerant and Bt insect-resistant types) from approximately 300 thousand in 1997 to approximately 3 million in 2010. Industry continues to increase the number of herbicide-tolerant, insect-resistant, and "stacked gene" varieties. Liberty Link Ignite herbicide-tolerant varieties (from Bayer CropScience) were first marketed in 2004. The first commercial "stacked Bt gene" system (Bollgard II from Monsanto) was launched in 2004. Varieties containing Monsanto=s Roundup Ready Flex gene system were commercialized in 2006. Widestrike "stacked Bt gene" technology from Dow AgroSciences was available in some PhytoGen varieties in 2005, with additional Roundup Ready Flex "stacked" types in the market in 2006. Liberty Link with Bollgard II types were also commercialized in 2006. In 2011, Bayer CropScience made Glytol and Glytol stacked with Liberty Link available to producers in limited quantities. New transgenic varieties continue to be marketed in the High Plains by All-Tex, Americot/NexGen, Croplan Genetics, Delta and Pine Land/Monsanto, Dyna-Gro, the Bayer CropScience FiberMax/Stoneville brands, and the Dow AgroSciences PhytoGen brand. More transgenic varieties are expected to be released by these companies in the future. Additional cotton biotechnologies are also anticipated in the future. The proliferation of transgenic varieties in the marketplace is expected to continue over the next several years. Current small-plot variety testing programs are inadequate in scale and design to investigate the economic impact of new transgenic varieties with value-added traits. The objective of this project was to evaluate the profitability of cotton varieties in producers' fields in the Texas High Plains.

Materials and Methods For scientific validity, three replications of each variety were included at the Plains and Farwell locations, with four replications included at Mount Blanco. Plots at Plains and Mount Blanco were of sufficient size to enable the combining of all replications of each individual variety into a single module at harvest. Each individual variety had at least three acres total (approximately one acre per experimental unit with three replications equals three acres total). A randomized complete block design was used at all three locations. Unfortunately, the Plains location was abandoned due to poor stand establishment resulting from the harsh drought and windy conditions experienced shortly after planting. At the remaining locations, all weed and insect

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control measures, if needed, and harvest aid applications were performed commercially or by cooperating producers. Plots were harvested with commercial harvesters by producers with assistance provided by program personnel. Individual location information was as follows: Location 1: Farwell, TX – Parmer County At the Farwell location, fourteen varieties were planted to 30” straight rows on the flat on 10-May with a seeding rate of approximately 60,000 seed per acre. Varieties included 10 Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex, 1 Widestrike/Roundup Ready Flex, 1 Glytol/Liberty Link, 1 Glytol and 1 Roundup Ready Flex:

1. All-Tex Edge B2RF 2. All-Tex Rapid B2RF 3. Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF 4. Deltapine 1032B2RF 5. Deltapine 1219B2RF (10R011B2RF) 6. Dyna-Gro 2450B2RF 7. FiberMax 1740B2F 8. FiberMax 2011GT 9. FiberMax 2484B2F 10. FiberMax 9250GL 11. NexGen 2051B2RF 12. NexGen 4111RF 13. PhytoGen 367WRF 14. Stoneville 4288B2F

This location was under a Low Elevation Spray Application (LESA) center pivot irrigation system with a terminated wheat cover crop. Approximately 14.5 inches of pre-plant and in-season irrigation was applied and 2 inches of rainfall was accumulated during the growing season for a total of 16.5 inches. Plot size was 8 rows by variable length due to center pivot. Approximately 93 lbs NO3-N/acre were applied as 28-0-0-5 on 24-March. Weed control consisted of a pre-emerge application of Diuron (32 oz/acre) on 18-April, two post-emerge broadcast applications of Roundup PowerMax were applied on 4-June (with Orthene for thrips control) and 11-July. No plant growth regulators were required at this location. Harvest aids were applied on 12-October as a tank mix of Harvest Pro (ethephon – boll opener) and Folex (tribufos – defoliant). No sequential desiccant application was required for harvest. Plots were harvested on 10-November and grab samples were taken by plot and ginned at the Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center at Lubbock. Resulting lint samples were submitted to the Texas Tech University – Fiber and Biopolymer Research Institute for HVI fiber analysis and CCC loan values were calculated.

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Location 2: Mt Blanco, TX – Crosby County Fourteen varieties were planted to 40” raised bed rows on 9-May with an approximate seeding rate of 42,000 seed per acre. Varieties included 10 Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex, 1 Widestrike/Roundup Ready Flex, 2 Glytol and 1 Roundup Ready Flex only varieties:

1. All-Tex Dinero B2RF 2. Deltapine 1032B2RF 3. Deltapine 1044B2RF 4. Deltapine 1219B2RF (10R011B2RF) 5. FiberMax 2011GT 6. FiberMax 2484B2F 7. FiberMax 9103GT 8. FiberMax 9170B2F 9. FiberMax 9180B2F 10. NexGen 4010B2RF 11. NexGen 4012B2RF 12. NexGen 4111RF 13. PhytoGen 367WRF 14. Stoneville 4288B2F

The rows were circular due to center pivot LEPA irrigation system (sprinklers utilized for stand establishment). Irrigation capacity was 600 gpm over 200 acres for 3 gpm/a. Approximately 3 inches of pre-plant irrigation and 19.6 inches of in-season irrigation (10-May to 10-September) was applied from for an approximate total of 22.6 inches. Plot sizes were 8 rows wide by variable length due to circular rows. Two applications of 23 oz/acre Roundup PowerMax were applied during the growing season for weed control. Prior to planting, 100 lbs of 11-52-0 fertilizer was applied and an additional 30 lbs of N were applied using 32-0-0. An initial harvest aid application of Blizzard (0.6 oz/a) and First Pick (48 oz/a) was applied by the grower on 21-September and a sequential application of Gramoxone Inteon (24 oz/a) with NIS (0.25% v/v) was applied on 5-October. Harvest occurred on 25 and 26-October using the producer/cooperator harvesting equipment. Harvest material was transferred to a West Texas Lee Weigh Wagon with digital scales for plot weight determination. Replications were combined by variety into individual modules and followed through the commercial ginning process for lint and seed turnout. USDA-AMS classing office HVI fiber quality and CCC loan values were obtained from resulting bales.

Results

Agronomic and economic results by variety for Farwell and Mount Blanco are included in tables 1 - 10. Location 1 - Farwell

Plant population, NAWF and storm resistance data are presented in table 1. Plant stands averaged 44,202 plants/acre on 6-June, and ranged from a high of 50,163 for FiberMax 1740B2F to a low of 34,404 for NexGen 4111RF. NAWF counts were conducted on 19-July, 26-July, and 2-August. Differences were observed for counts taken on all dates with 19-July counts different at the alpha=0.10 level. The test average on 19-July was 6.5 NAWF with a high of 7.1 for Deltapine 1219B2RF, and a low of 6.2

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for All-Tex Rapid B2RF. Average NAWF decreased to 4.8 on 26-July with several varieties reaching cutout (NAWF=5). By 2-August, all varieties had reached cutout and a test average of 2.9 was observed. Storm resistance ratings (1-9 with 1 being extremely loose) were taken at harvest on 10-November and significant differences were observed among varieties. Values ranged from a high of 8.0 for FiberMax 2011GT to a low of 3.3 for All-Tex Edge B2RF. On 3-October, final plant map data were collected and are included in table 2. Significant differences were observed among varieties for all plant map parameters measured. Plant height averaged 17.8 inches and was greatest for NexGen 4111RF (21.4) and lowest for All-Tex Edge B2RF (15.2). Node of first sympodium averaged 7.1 and FiberMax 2484B2F had the highest with 8.1. Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF had the highest average number of mainstem nodes with 19.4 and the lowest number of nodes was observed for FiberMax 2011GT with 16.6. The test average for total mainstem nodes was 17.8. For height to node ratio, the test average was 1.0. Total fruiting branches was highest for Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF with 13.9 and lowest for Dyna-Gro 2450B2RF with 10.7. A test average open boll percent of 52.8% was observed and values ranged from a high of 71.5% for FiberMax 2011GT to a low of 31.9% for Deltapine 1219B2RF. Percent open boll differences were significant at the 0.10 level. Fruiting and fruit retention values were also recorded on 3-October and reported in table 3. Parameters measured included percent of total fruit from positions 1 and 2, total fruit (actual count), positions 1 and 2 retention percents, and total fruit retention (%). Significant differences were observed among varieties for all but total fruit. Total fruit retention averaged 41.1% and ranged from a high of 50.0% for FiberMax 1740B2F to a low of 33.1% for FiberMax 9250GL. At the Farwell location, lint turnouts of field-cleaned bur cotton averaged 34.5% (Table 4). Bur cotton yields averaged 2547 lb/acre and ranged from high of 2771 lb/acre for FiberMax 2484B2F to a low of 2000 lb/acre for Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF. Lint yields ranged from 1040 lb/acre for FiberMax 2011GT to 640 lb/acre for Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF, and seed yields averaged 1276 lb/acre. Loan values derived from grab samples ranged from $0.5705 for FiberMax 2484B2F to $0.5275 for FiberMax 1740B2F. After applying loan values to lint yields, the test average lint value was $485.25/acre. When subtracting ginning and seed/technology costs from total value (lint value + seed value) net value averaged $520.39/acre across varieties. FiberMax 2011GT resulted in the highest net value with $615.78/acre and Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF had the lowest with $365.78/acre. Classing data from grab samples are reported in table 5. Micronaire ranged from 4.7 for Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF to 3.9 for Deltapine 10R011B2RF. Staple was highest for FiberMax 2484B2F (35.4) and lowest for All-Tex Rapid B2RF (33.7). The highest uniformity, 82.2%, was observed in All-Tex Edge B2RF while NexGen 2051B2RF had the lowest with 79.1%. Fiber strength values ranged from a high of 32.2 g/tex for NexGen 4111RF and All-Tex Edge B2RF to a low of 27.4 g/tex for NexGen 2051B2RF. Leaf grades were mostly 1 and 2, and color grades were mostly 11 and 21 with a few 31 grades observed.

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Location 2 B Mount Blanco

Plant population, NAWF and storm resistance data are presented in table 6. Plant stands averaged 32,107 plants/acre on 16-June and no significant differences were observed among varieties. NAWF counts were conducted on 19-July, 26-July, and 2-August. No differences were observed for counts taken on any date. The test averages were 5.6, 3.4 and 1.6 on 19-July, 26-July and 2-August, respectively. All varieties had reached cutout by the 26-July observation date. Storm resistance ratings (1-9 with 1 being extremely loose) were taken on 25-October just prior to harvest and significant differences were observed among varieties. Values ranged from a high of 7.0 for FiberMax 2484B2F to a low of 3.7 for Deltapine 1032B2RF. On 9-September, final plant map data were collected and results are included in table 7. Significant differences were observed among varieties for most plant map parameters measured. Plant height averaged 17.8 inches and was greatest for NexGen 4012B2RF (21.6) and lowest for FiberMax 2484B2F (16.3). Node of first sympodium averaged 7.1 and FiberMax 2484B2F and FiberMax 9180B2F had the highest with 8.1. NexGen 4012B2RF had the highest total number of mainstem nodes with 17.7 and the lowest was observed for FiberMax 9103GT with 14.7. The test average for total mainstem nodes was 16.1. For height to node ratio, the test average was 1.1. Total fruiting branch differences were significant at the 0.10 level and values were highest for NexGen 4012B2RF with 11.1 and lowest for FiberMax 2484B2F with 8.7. A test average open boll percent of 83.7% was observed with no significant differences among varieties. Fruiting and fruit retention values were also recorded on 9-September and reported in table 8. Parameters measured included percent of total fruit from positions 1 and 2, total fruit (actual count), positions 1 and 2 retention percents, and total fruit retention (%). Significant differences were observed among varieties for all parameters. Total fruit retention averaged 31.9% and ranged from a high of 40.6% for PhytoGen 367WRF to a low of 26.7 for NexGen 4012B2RF. Prior to harvest, it was observed that bolls across all varieties did not “fluff” after opening. After further investigation, it was determined that, on average, individual locks contained only 6-7 seeds. Typically, we would find 8-10 seeds/lock. Lint turnouts of field-cleaned bur cotton ranged from a high of 34.8% for Deltapine 1032B2RF to a low of 29.7% for Stoneville 4288B2F (Table 9). Lint yields averaged 441 lb/acre and differences were significant at the 0.10 level. FiberMax 2011GT had the highest lint yield with 481 lb/acre. Seed yields averaged 580 lb/acre. Loan values derived from commercially ginned bales ranged from $0.5367 for FiberMax 9180B2F to $0.4895 for Deltapine 1032B2RF. After applying lint loan values to lint yield, lint values ($/acre) ranged from $248.49/acre for FiberMax 2011GT to $196.08/acre for Deltapine 1032B2RF. When subtracting ginning and seed/technology costs from total value (lint value + seed value) net value averaged $214.74/acre across varieties. FiberMax 2011GT resulted in the highest net value with $242.87/acre and Deltapine 1032B2RF had the lowest with $178.68/acre. Classing data derived from bales are reported in table 4. Micronaire averages were highest for Deltapine 1044B2RF with 4.6 and lowest for FiberMax 9103GT at 3.9. Staple average and was highest for FiberMax 9180B2F (33.8) and lowest for Deltapine 1032B2RF (31.9). The highest uniformity (80.4%) was observed in NexGen 4111RF. Strength values ranged from a high of 30.4 g/tex for NexGen 4111RF to a low of 26.0 g/tex for Stoneville 4288B2F.

67

Summary and Conclusions

Characteristics commonly evaluated in small-plot testing include lint yield, turnout percentages, fiber quality, and earliness. Current small-plot variety testing programs are inadequate in scale and design to investigate the economic impact of new transgenic varieties with value-added traits. The objective of this project was to evaluate the profitability of cotton varieties in producers' fields in the Texas High Plains. Three replications of each variety were included at the Farwell and Plains locations with four replications at the Mount Blanco location. Plots were of sufficient size at Plains and Blanco to enable the combining of all replications of each individual variety into a single module at harvest. Each individual variety had at least three acres total (approximately one acre per plot with three replications equals three acres total). At the Farwell location, in order to include a greater number of varieties, plot sizes were reduced and grab samples were taken at harvest for ginning and fiber quality analysis. Plot weights were determined at harvest using a boll buggy with integral electronic scales. Modules from the Mount Blanco location were followed through the ginning process to determine lint turnout, USDA-AMS fiber quality, and CCC loan value. In 2011 (a year characterized by extreme drought, high temperatures and unrelenting winds at planting) yields were well below normal. A total of three locations were initiated in 2011. Fourteen varieties were included at the Farwell and Mount Blanco sites, and the Plains location included 19 varieties. However, the Plains location was lost to extreme drought conditions and sustained high winds shortly after planting. The Farwell and Mount Blanco locations were well maintained by the cooperating producers, but the continued drought conditions took a toll on variety yields. Lint yields averaged 881 lb/acre and 441 lb/acre at the Farwell and Mount Blanco sites, respectively. Lint loan values derived from grab samples taken at harvest at the Farwell site averaged $0.5500/lb and ranged from a high of $0.5705/lb for FiberMax 2484B2F to a low of $0.5275/lb for FiberMax 1740B2F. Average loan values of commercially ginned bales from Mount Blanco ranged from a high of $0.5367 for FiberMax 9180B2F to $0.4895 for Deltapine 1032B2RF with a test average of $0.5095/lb. After adding lint and seed values and subtracting out ginning and seed and technology fee costs, the Farwell site net value per acre ranged from a low of $365.78 for Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF to a high of $615.78 for FiberMax 2011GT. A total of 4 varieties were in the statistical upper tier at this location and included FiberMax 2011GT, FiberMax 2484B2F, NexGen 4111RF and FiberMax 9250GL. The Mount Blanco site test average net value per acre was $214.74 and ranged from a high of $242.87 for FiberMax 2011GT to a low of $178.68 for Deltapine 1032B2RF. At this location, eight varieties were included in the statistical upper tier in terms of net value per acre, and included FiberMax 2011GT, FiberMax 9180B2F, Deltapine 1044B2RF, FiberMax 9103GT, NexGen 4111RF, FiberMax 9170B2F, All-Tex Dinero B2RF, and Deltapine 10R011B2RF. These data indicate that substantial differences can be observed in terms of net value/acre due to variety and technology selection. The differences in net value/acre, when comparing the top and bottom varieties were approximately $250 at Farwell and $64 at Blanco. Additional multi-site and multi-year applied research is needed to evaluate varieties across a series of environments.

68

Acknowledgments

We wish to express our appreciation to the producer-cooperators: Mark and Ryan Williams, Mark and David Appling, and Rickey Bearden for providing the land, equipment and time to conduct these projects. Without the generous support and detailed ginning by the ginner-cooperators this work would not have been possible. Our thanks are extended to Heethe Burleson at Associated Cotton Growers Gin at Crosbyton.

69

Table 1. Inseason plant measurement results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and Ryan Williams Farm, Farwell, TX, 2011.

Entry Storm resistance

19-Jul 26-Jul 2-Aug 10-Novplants/row ft plants/acre rating (0-9)

FiberMax 2011GT 2.8 47,500 5.7 3.6 2.1 8.0FiberMax 2484B2F 2.8 48,610 6.3 4.6 2.4 5.7NexGen 4111RF 2.0 34,404 7.0 4.8 2.7 6.3FiberMax 9250GL 2.8 48,388 6.3 4.3 2.2 7.3Deltapine 10R011B2RF 2.5 44,171 7.1 5.8 3.4 6.7All-Tex Edge B2RF 2.5 44,392 6.6 4.7 2.7 3.3FiberMax 1740B2F 2.9 50,163 6.3 4.1 3.1 6.0Stoneville 4288B2F 2.8 48,610 6.5 5.1 3.3 5.0Dyna-Gro 2450B2RF 2.6 44,836 6.7 5.1 3.0 6.7PhytoGen 367WRF 2.6 44,614 6.3 5.4 3.5 5.0Deltapine 1032B2RF 2.1 37,068 7.0 5.6 3.7 4.3NexGen 2051B2RF 2.2 38,399 6.8 5.1 3.1 7.0All-Tex Rapid B2RF 2.6 45,058 6.2 4.3 2.0 6.3Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF 2.4 42,617 6.4 4.3 2.7 3.7

Test average 2.6 44,202 6.5 4.8 2.9 5.8

CV, % 9.8 9.7 7.2 11.8 19.4 7.6OSL 0.0029 0.0026 0.0764† 0.0025 0.0095 <0.0001LSD 0.4 7,194 0.7 0.9 0.9 0.7For NAWF, numbers represent an average of 10 plants per variety per rep (30 plants per variety)For Storm resistance, ratings based on a scale of 0-9 where 9 represents maximum storm resistance.CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F value.LSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level, †indicates signficance at the 0.10 level.

Plant population Nodes Above White Flower (NAWF) for week of

6-Jun

70

Table 2. Final plant map results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and Ryan Williams Farm, Farwell, TX, 2011.

Entry

plant height(inches)

FiberMax 2011GT 15.9 6.7 16.6 1.0 10.8 71.5FiberMax 2484B2F 17.8 8.1 18.2 1.0 11.1 38.9NexGen 4111RF 21.4 7.1 19.1 1.1 13.0 45.6FiberMax 9250GL 16.7 7.9 18.0 0.9 11.1 60.3Deltapine 10R011B2RF 18.9 7.1 18.3 1.0 12.2 31.9All-Tex Edge B2RF 15.2 6.6 16.7 0.9 11.4 56.0FiberMax 1740B2F 17.8 7.1 17.7 1.0 11.6 46.9Stoneville 4288B2F 15.7 7.2 17.1 0.9 10.9 49.2Dyna-Gro 2450B2RF 17.4 7.5 17.2 1.0 10.7 61.5PhytoGen 367WRF 17.1 7.1 16.9 1.0 10.8 43.4Deltapine 1032B2RF 20.3 6.7 17.6 1.2 11.9 56.3NexGen 2051B2RF 16.6 7.1 17.9 0.9 11.9 59.5All-Tex Rapid B2RF 18.3 7.1 19.1 1.0 13.0 57.4Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF 19.4 6.4 19.4 1.0 13.9 60.1

Test average 17.8 7.1 17.8 1.0 11.7 52.8

CV, % 7.8 7.2 4.2 8.3 6.0 23.8

OSL 0.0003 0.0307 0.0005 0.0058 <0.0001 0.0509†

LSD 2.3 0.9 1.2 0.1 1.2 17.5

Final plant map 3-Oct

node of first fruiting branch total mainstem nodes height to node ratio total fruiting branches

LSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level, †indicates significance at the 0.10 level, NS - not significant

open boll (%)

For Final plant map, numbers represent and average of 6 plants per variety per rep (18 plants per variety)CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F value.

71

Table 3. Final plant map results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and Ryan Williams Farm, Farwell, TX, 2011.

Entry

FiberMax 2011GT 59.5 21.6 8.7 43.2 30.3 36.46FiberMax 2484B2F 47.4 25.8 11.4 45.4 44.3 43.11NexGen 4111RF 39.2 28.1 12.2 36.6 39.1 35.30FiberMax 9250GL 69.9 18.4 6.7 38.8 22.8 33.15Deltapine 10R011B2RF 58.2 31.4 11.7 52.6 47.5 48.61All-Tex Edge B2RF 67.0 20.2 9.5 52.1 29.3 41.87FiberMax 1740B2F 50.1 31.8 11.7 50.5 54.3 49.99Stoneville 4288B2F 70.4 19.2 9.4 57.7 29.8 45.47Dyna-Gro 2450B2RF 60.7 23.5 8.4 45.0 32.4 38.87PhytoGen 367WRF 61.5 24.2 9.4 50.4 34.9 42.23Deltapine 1032B2RF 63.6 23.9 10.8 54.1 35.8 44.38NexGen 2051B2RF 68.2 17.7 10.1 51.1 27.6 40.54All-Tex Rapid B2RF 62.9 23.7 9.2 43.5 29.8 36.24Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF 59.6 24.2 11.9 49.5 35.6 39.10

Test average 59.9 23.8 10.1 47.9 35.2 41.09

CV, % 12.8 20.1 22.2 11.8 25.4 12.5OSL 0.0011 0.0217 0.1713 0.0041 0.0143 0.0121LSD 12.9 8.1 NS 9.5 15.1 8.6

Fruiting and retention 3-Oct

% of fruit from 1st position

% of fruit from 2nd position total fruit

1st position retention (%)

2nd position retention (%)

LSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level, NS - not significant

total retention (%)

For Final plant map, numbers represent and average of 6 plants per variety per rep (18 plants per variety)CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F value.

72

Table 4. Harvest results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and Ryan Williams Farm, Farwell, TX, 2011.

Entry Lint Seed Bur cotton Lint Seed Lint loan Lint Seed Total Ginning Seed/technologyturnout turnout yield yield yield value value value value cost cost

$/lb

FiberMax 2011GT 38.1 47.2 2732 1040 1291 0.5533 575.30 193.63 768.93 81.97 71.18 615.78 aFiberMax 2484B2F 36.0 48.3 2771 996 1339 0.5705 568.49 200.87 769.36 83.12 85.34 600.91 aNexGen 4111RF 34.0 50.9 2689 915 1369 0.5670 518.95 205.39 724.34 80.66 60.47 583.21 abFiberMax 9250GL 34.8 50.0 2692 938 1345 0.5618 527.13 201.77 728.90 80.77 73.91 574.22 abDeltapine 10R011B2RF 34.3 47.7 2684 921 1280 0.5663 521.87 191.93 713.80 80.52 86.24 547.04 bcAll-Tex Edge B2RF 34.7 50.7 2602 904 1319 0.5587 504.83 197.81 702.64 78.06 79.61 544.97 bcFiberMax 1740B2F 35.3 48.9 2636 930 1290 0.5275 490.51 193.47 683.99 79.09 85.34 519.56 cStoneville 4288B2F 34.7 51.5 2523 876 1300 0.5477 479.59 195.03 674.61 75.68 85.34 513.60 cDyna-Gro 2450B2RF 33.6 51.7 2584 869 1336 0.5415 470.64 200.36 671.00 77.51 83.17 510.33 cPhytoGen 367WRF 34.1 49.8 2568 875 1278 0.5428 475.18 191.72 666.90 77.03 84.47 505.41 cDeltapine 1032B2RF 36.7 49.1 2397 879 1176 0.5495 483.07 176.37 659.44 71.90 86.24 501.30 cNexGen 2051B2RF 33.1 52.6 2528 838 1329 0.5350 448.30 199.40 647.69 75.85 75.08 496.76 cAll-Tex Rapid B2RF 31.6 51.6 2256 713 1163 0.5322 379.46 174.49 553.96 67.69 79.61 406.65 dCroplan Genetics 3006B2RF 32.0 52.3 2000 640 1046 0.5468 350.20 156.92 507.12 60.00 81.34 365.78 d

Test average 34.5 50.2 2547 881 1276 0.5500 485.25 191.37 676.62 76.42 79.81

CV, % 5.5 2.5 5.2 5.2 5.2 1.8 5.1 5.2 5.1 5.2 --OSL 0.0252 <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 --LSD 3.2 2.1 221 76 111 0.0167 41.89 16.70 58.47 6.62 --For net value/acre, means within a column with the same letter are not significantly different at the 0.05 probability level.CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F value.LSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level.Note: some columns may not add up due to rounding error.

Assumes:$3.00/cwt ginning cost.$300/ton for seed.Value for lint based on CCC loan value from grab samples and FBRI HVI results.

<0.000151.86

Netvalue

-------- % -------- ------------- lb/acre ------------- ------------------------------------------------- $/acre -------------------------------------------------

520.39

5.9

73

Entry Micronaire Staple Uniformity Strength Elongation Leaf Rd +b

units 32nds inch % g/tex % grade reflectance yellowness color 1 color 2

FiberMax 2011GT 4.1 34.8 80.4 30.0 8.1 1.0 80.9 8.1 2.0 1.0FiberMax 2484B2F 4.1 35.4 80.6 30.7 8.0 1.0 82.6 8.0 1.3 1.0NexGen 4111RF 4.1 34.9 81.8 32.2 9.6 1.0 80.4 9.2 1.7 1.0FiberMax 9250GL 4.4 34.9 80.0 29.3 7.2 1.3 81.2 8.0 2.0 1.0Deltapine 10R011B2RF 3.9 34.8 80.5 30.6 8.8 1.0 80.4 8.7 1.7 1.0All-Tex Edge B2RF 4.6 34.8 82.2 32.2 9.2 2.3 79.4 8.1 2.3 1.0FiberMax 1740B2F 4.1 34.0 79.3 28.7 8.9 1.0 81.5 8.5 1.3 1.0Stoneville 4288B2F 4.5 34.2 80.1 28.9 9.2 1.0 80.0 9.1 1.7 1.0Dyna-Gro 2450B2RF 4.3 34.0 80.7 27.5 9.0 1.0 79.6 8.7 2.0 1.0PhytoGen 367WRF 4.2 34.0 80.6 29.4 9.6 1.0 79.8 9.2 1.7 1.0Deltapine 1032B2RF 4.2 34.3 80.8 29.5 8.9 1.0 81.7 8.6 1.7 1.0NexGen 2051B2RF 4.4 33.8 79.1 27.4 8.2 1.3 81.0 8.0 2.3 1.0All-Tex Rapid B2RF 4.5 33.7 79.8 28.9 8.4 1.0 80.5 8.3 1.7 1.0Croplan Genetics 3006B2RF 4.7 34.7 81.6 28.5 9.0 2.3 77.9 8.1 3.0 1.0

Test average 4.3 34.5 80.5 29.6 8.7 1.2 80.5 8.5 1.9 1.0

CV, % 6.5 1.8 0.6 2.3 3.7 34.0 1.2 1.9 -- --OSL 0.0485 0.0594† <0.0001 <0.0001 <0.0001 0.0016 0.0005 <0.0001 -- --LSD 0.5 0.9 0.8 1.2 0.5 0.7 1.6 0.3 -- --CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F value.LSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level, †indicates signficance at the 0.10 level.

Table 5. HVI fiber property results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and Ryan Williams Farm, Farwell, TX, 2011.

Color grade

74

Entry Storm resistance

19-Jul 26-Jul 2-Aug 25-Octplants/row ft plants/acre rating (1-9)

FiberMax 2011GT 2.4 31,832 5.7 3.6 1.6 6.7FiberMax 9180B2F 2.3 30,324 6.0 3.9 1.7 6.3Deltapine 1044B2RF 2.5 32,167 5.8 3.6 1.9 5.0FiberMax 9103GT 2.4 32,000 5.7 3.3 1.6 6.3NexGen 4111RF 2.3 29,990 5.9 3.4 1.6 5.7FiberMax 9170B2F 2.5 32,000 5.6 3.7 1.4 5.3All-Tex Dinero B2RF 2.5 32,670 5.3 3.2 1.4 6.0Deltapine 1219B2RF 2.7 34,680 5.7 3.4 1.6 4.0NexGen 4012B2RF 2.5 32,837 5.7 3.0 1.6 5.7Stoneville 4288B2F 2.5 33,005 5.7 3.2 1.5 4.3PhytoGen 367WRF 2.4 30,659 5.8 3.7 1.6 4.3NexGen 4010B2RF 2.5 32,167 5.7 3.1 1.7 5.3FiberMax 2484B2F 2.6 34,345 5.0 3.0 1.4 7.0Deltapine 1032B2RF 2.4 30,827 5.4 2.9 1.3 3.7

Test average 2.5 32,107 5.6 3.4 1.6 5.4

CV, % 7.5 7.7 9.9 16.1 22.6 12.4OSL 0.3587 0.5254 0.7652 0.5107 0.8651 <0.0001LSD NS NS NS NS NS 1.1For NAWF, numbers represent an average of 10 plants per variety per rep (30 plants per variety)For Storm resistance, ratings based on a scale of 0-9 where 9 represents maximum storm resistance.CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F value.LSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level, NS - not significant

Table 6. Inseason plant measurement results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and David Appling Farm, Mount Blanco, TX, 2011.

Plant population Nodes Above White Flower (NAWF) for week of

16-Jun

75

Table 7. Final plant map results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and David Appling Farm, Mount Blanco, TX, 2011

Entry

plant height(inches)

FiberMax 2011GT 16.5 6.5 15.9 1.0 10.4 92.0FiberMax 9180B2F 16.5 8.1 16.4 1.0 9.3 73.8Deltapine 1044B2RF 18.7 7.3 16.5 1.1 10.2 85.6FiberMax 9103GT 17.2 6.2 14.7 1.2 9.5 85.7NexGen 4111RF 17.4 6.7 16.1 1.1 10.3 81.9FiberMax 9170B2F 17.8 7.6 16.8 1.1 10.2 83.0All-Tex Dinero B2RF 17.6 6.8 15.3 1.1 9.5 82.8Deltapine 1219B2RF 17.3 7.2 16.2 1.1 10.0 77.9NexGen 4012B2RF 21.6 7.6 17.7 1.2 11.1 90.4Stoneville 4288B2F 17.4 7.1 16.2 1.1 10.1 85.2PhytoGen 367WRF 17.0 6.4 15.6 1.1 10.2 77.5NexGen 4010B2RF 18.3 7.0 16.9 1.1 10.9 84.4FiberMax 2484B2F 16.3 8.1 15.7 1.0 8.7 85.6Deltapine 1032B2RF 20.2 6.7 15.8 1.3 10.1 86.3

Test average 17.8 7.1 16.1 1.1 10.0 83.7

CV, % 9.1 6.2 4.3 7.4 7.8 9.3OSL 0.0223 <0.0001 0.0032 0.0252 0.0822† 0.3438LSD 2.7 0.7 1.2 0.1 1.1 NSFor Final plant map, numbers represent and average of 6 plants per variety per rep (18 plants per varietyCV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F valueLSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level, †indicates signficance at the 0.10 level, NS - not significant.

Final plant map 9-Sep

node of first fruiting branch total mainstem nodes height to node ratio total fruiting branches open boll (%)

76

Table 8. Final plant map results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and David Appling Farm, Mount Blanco, TX, 2011

Entry

FiberMax 2011GT 89.3 6.6 4.9 39.1 6.5 28.0FiberMax 9180B2F 72.0 13.6 6.7 50.3 16.7 36.1Deltapine 1044B2RF 87.2 5.9 6.0 49.9 6.8 29.5FiberMax 9103GT 89.2 9.7 4.5 41.1 9.6 29.4NexGen 4111RF 80.0 14.8 6.2 46.4 13.6 30.4FiberMax 9170B2F 63.4 26.0 6.9 42.9 26.4 32.3All-Tex Dinero B2RF 79.1 14.6 6.2 49.5 16.6 33.0Deltapine 1219B2RF 84.1 11.1 6.1 50.0 13.6 36.5NexGen 4012B2RF 83.4 15.8 5.9 43.2 13.5 26.7Stoneville 4288B2F 84.5 10.4 5.8 46.6 10.1 29.1PhytoGen 367WRF 69.0 20.2 9.1 56.2 31.2 40.6NexGen 4010B2RF 77.0 16.6 6.6 45.7 17.5 30.7FiberMax 2484B2F 68.1 14.7 5.6 41.5 16.9 32.2Deltapine 1032B2RF 78.4 16.3 6.3 46.3 17.8 32.1

Test average 78.9 14.0 6.2 46.3 15.5 31.9

CV, % 11.3 40.5 17.1 10.1 42.9 10.6OSL 0.0222 0.0196 0.0088 0.0101 0.0056 0.0024LSD 15.0 9.5 1.8 7.8 11.1 5.7For Final plant map, numbers represent and average of 6 plants per variety per rep (18 plants per variety)CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F valueLSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level.

Fruiting and retention 9-Sep

% of fruit from 1st position

% of fruit from 2nd position total fruit

1st position retention (%)

2nd position retention (%) total retention (%)

77

Table 9. Harvest results from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and David Appling Farm, Mount Blanco, TX, 2011.

Entry Lint Seed Bur cotton Lint Seed Lint loan Lint Seed Total Ginning Seed/technologyturnout turnout yield yield yield value value value value cost cost

$/lb

FiberMax 2011GT 34.1 40.9 1409 481 577 0.5170 248.49 86.47 334.96 42.26 49.83 242.87 aFiberMax 9180B2F 31.5 44.7 1456 458 651 0.5367 245.80 97.57 343.37 43.67 58.78 240.93 aDeltapine 1044B2RF 32.0 42.2 1477 473 624 0.5030 237.74 93.58 331.32 44.30 56.17 230.85 abFiberMax 9103GT 32.0 44.7 1421 455 636 0.4949 225.16 95.38 320.54 42.64 49.83 228.07 abNexGen 4111RF 31.5 40.3 1376 434 555 0.5135 222.76 83.27 306.03 41.28 42.33 222.42 abcFiberMax 9170B2F 32.5 43.8 1374 446 602 0.5192 231.43 90.29 321.71 41.21 59.74 220.77 abcAll-Tex Dinero B2RF 30.5 41.5 1435 438 595 0.5176 226.47 89.26 315.72 43.04 55.73 216.95 abcDeltapine 1219B2RF 33.7 42.8 1329 448 568 0.5151 230.66 85.24 315.91 39.87 60.37 215.67 abcNexGen 4012B2RF 31.3 41.9 1363 427 571 0.5071 216.22 85.68 301.90 40.90 52.55 208.45 bcdStoneville 4288B2F 29.7 41.9 1494 444 626 0.4929 218.89 93.94 312.83 44.82 59.74 208.28 bcdPhytoGen 367WRF 30.7 39.6 1437 441 569 0.5030 221.76 85.32 307.07 43.11 59.13 204.83 bcdNexGen 4010B2RF 30.6 33.4 1407 430 470 0.5103 219.37 70.46 289.83 42.21 52.55 195.07 cdFiberMax 2484B2F 32.8 45.9 1216 399 559 0.5137 204.99 83.78 288.77 36.48 59.74 192.55 cdDeltapine 1032B2RF 34.8 44.9 1152 400 517 0.4895 196.08 77.52 273.60 34.56 60.37 178.68 d

Test average 32.0 42.0 1382 441 580 0.5095 224.70 86.98 311.68 41.45 55.49

CV, % -- -- 7.8 7.8 7.8 -- 7.9 7.8 7.8 7.8 --OSL -- -- 0.0027 0.0798† 0.0001 -- 0.0109 0.0001 0.0152 0.0028 --LSD -- -- 154 41 65 -- 25.23 9.68 34.88 4.63 --For net value/acre, means within a column with the same letter are not significantly different at the 0.05 probability level.CV - coefficient of variation.OSL - observed significance level, or probability of a greater F value.LSD - least significant difference at the 0.05 level, †indicates significance at the 0.10 level.Note: some columns may not add up due to rounding error.

Assumes:$3.00/cwt ginning cost.$300/ton for seed.Value for lint based on CCC loan value from commercially classed bales.

0.003930.26

Netvalue

-------- % -------- ------------- lb/acre ------------- ------------------------------------------------- $/acre -------------------------------------------------

214.74

9.9

78

Variety Color 1 Color 2 Staple Leaf Micronaire Remarks rd +b Length Strength Uniformity Loan

units units 32nds units units bales units units inches g/tex % $/lb

FiberMax 2011GT Mean 2.0 1.0 32.7 2.4 4.2 0/7 79.6 8.8 1.02 28.3 79.8 0.5170Std Dev 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.02 0.9 1.0 0.0165

FiberMax 9180B2F Mean 1.8 1.0 33.8 1.9 4.2 0/8 79.6 9.0 1.05 29.1 80.1 0.5367Std Dev 0.5 0.0 0.7 0.4 0.3 1.0 0.3 0.02 1.4 1.0 0.0150

Deltapine 1044B2RF Mean 2.0 1.4 32.1 2.1 4.6 0/7 76.9 9.8 1.01 28.3 79.3 0.5030Std Dev 0.0 0.5 0.7 0.4 0.0 1.3 0.4 0.02 1.1 0.9 0.0121

FiberMax 9103GT Mean 2.3 1.6 32.7 2.7 3.9 2/7 76.3 9.7 1.02 27.1 78.4 0.4949Std Dev 0.5 0.5 0.8 0.5 0.3 1.9 0.4 0.02 1.2 0.9 0.0277

NexGen 4111RF Mean 2.0 1.0 32.4 2.6 4.4 0/7 78.0 9.6 1.01 30.4 80.4 0.5135Std Dev 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.02 1.1 0.7 0.0087


All-Tex Dinero B2RF Mean 2.1 1.0 33.4 1.9 4.4 1/7 78.2 9.2 1.04 26.7 79.7 0.5176Std Dev 0.4 0.0 1.3 0.7 0.1 0.9 0.3 0.04 2.4 1.1 0.0206


NexGen 4012B2RF Mean 2.0 1.1 32.3 2.1 4.2 0/7 78.4 9.2 1.01 27.0 79.2 0.5071Std Dev 0.0 0.4 1.0 0.4 0.1 0.8 0.3 0.02 1.3 0.9 0.0174

Stoneville 4288B2F Mean 2.0 1.4 32.1 2.0 4.5 0/7 77.5 9.9 1.01 26.0 79.1 0.4929Std Dev 0.0 0.5 0.4 0.6 0.1 0.7 0.4 0.01 1.7 0.5 0.0118

PhytoGen 367WRF Mean 2.0 1.9 32.4 2.3 4.3 0/7 76.4 10.1 1.01 26.9 79.4 0.5030Std Dev 0.0 0.4 0.5 0.5 0.1 1.1 0.4 0.01 0.7 0.5 0.0120

NexGen 4010B2RF Mean 2.0 2.0 33.0 2.4 4.3 0/7 75.7 10.4 1.03 30.0 79.8 0.5103Std Dev 0.6 0.8 1.0 0.5 0.4 3.1 0.8 0.02 1.1 0.6 0.0138



Table 10. USDA-AMS classing results of commercially ginned bales from the irrigated large plot replicated systems variety demonstration, Mark and David Appling Farm, Mount Blanco, TX, 2011.

79

80

Educational programs conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension is implied.

Appendix

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Bailey and Parmer Counties June 3, 2011 Volume 10 Issue 1

Spring 2011, a spring to forget! I can not remember a tougher spring to get a crop established. Non-irrigated cropland has no planting or deep moisture and will require large amounts of rainfall to make up the deficit. Crop establishment in irrigated production systems has been a struggle to put it mildly. High winds and extremely dry conditions have made it difficult to maintain adequate moisture in the seedbed. Cool nighttime temperatures earlier in May and application of additional irrigation have further compounded the issue by reducing soil temperature.

2011 has been the perfect storm as far as cotton goes. At this point in time we are on borrowed time so far as cotton planting goes, every day that goes

by dramatically increases risk associated with crop maturity. In addition sand d a m a g e associated with high winds h a v e a n d continue to take

their toll on the area cotton crop as well.

At risk of piling on further Thielaviopsis (black root rot) and Rhizoctonia have further hampered cotton development. Many root systems have been so compromised that they have been unable to

sustain the plant after emergence. The following disease descriptions are from “Cotton Root Disorders “ published by Cotton Inc.

Rhizoctonia solani This fungus causes cotton seed rot, lesions on the hypoco ty l and root ro t in co t ton seedlings. Rhizoctonia solani can cause disease under a range of environmental conditions, but is most damaging in cool, wet soil. Hypocotyl lesions are generally reddish brown in color and sunken. Root lesions can be wet areas where the root appears as a string (the surrounding tissue has rotted away) or darker colored lesions. When more than one seedling disease pathogen is present, such as R.solani and Thielaviopsis basicola, then root lesions are brown in color. As the plant matures, the hypocotyl area hardens and is not susceptible to damage. Management of R.solani i n v o l v es planting high quality seed, using a fungicide seed treatment with activity on R.solani, planting when soil conditions are warm and rain is not imminent and, in severe cases, using an in-furrow fungicide at planting.

Thielaviopsis basicola This fungus causes a disease known as black root rot. The root system turns black, particularly in

Daily Water Use*** As of September 1, 2010 the Texas High Plains Evapotranspiration (TXHPET) Network, North Plains ET (NPET) Network and South Plains ET (SPET) Network will no longer provide meteoro-logical, reference ET and crop ET data due to in-sufficient funding. For more information go to http://bailey-tx.tamu.edu and click on “ET Net-work”.

Seedling Disease

* DD 60 based on May 1 ** Based on Muleshoe long term weather data 1971-2000

Exposed seed after wind storm

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http://bailey-tx.tamu.edu


The Texas A&M System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

young plants,but the root tissue remains firm. It does not rot. However,if there is a disease complex involving several different fungi,then the black color (necrosis)can be combined with actual root rot (softening of the tissue)and root death.This disease can be severe when soil temperatures are cool. Generally,soil moisture is not necessary to have serious black root rot,though disease symptoms may be more severe when cool temperatures are combined with wet soil. Once the soil temperatures warm, the black root systems will be sloughed off and the roots will appear white and healthy colored. An unusual exception is seen when soils are heavily infested with this fungus,or when root- knot nematode is present with T.basicola.Then, root symptoms may persist all season. Plants with black root rot can recover and produce high yields. However,if cool spring weather is prolonged,plants may be sufficiently delayed in their maturity and growth to the point that they will remain stunted all season. Management of this disease involves planting when soil temperatures are warmer. Generally crop rotation of 1-2 years is not sufficient to significantly reduce disease pressure.Seed applied fungicides like triademenol can provide limited protection, but only under low disease

pressure.

Thrips

M o d e r a t e numbers of Adult thrips have been observed in area cotton and have begun to c o l o n i z e u n t r e a t e d

fields. Thrips are slender, straw colored insects about 1/15 inch long, with rasping and sucking mouthparts. Adults are winged but are not strong fliers but can drift long distances in the wind. Cotton should be monitored closely to prevent excessive damage. Once adults begin to infest emerging unprotected cotton it can be quickly overwhelmed. Local research on foliar only thrips management strategies indicate that the most important insecticide application is very early, at

emergence and the week fol lowing. Late applications may provide some personal satisfaction (revenge treatment) but may not provide an economic return. If infestation is assessed by visual plant damage you will be late.

Fields with no preventative treatment (soil applied or seed treatment insecticide) for thrips will likely require at least one and probably two foliar insecticide applications to keep thrips suppressed. Under extreme thrips pressure and poor growing conditions a third insecticide application may be justified. Foliar applications of acephate are very effective but residual activity lasts less than a week.

Do not assume that a preventative treatment is working, close inspection of plant leaves and terminals for adult and immature thrips will tell the tale.

I can not stress enough the need make timely insecticide applications especially when a purely foliar thrips management strategy is employed. Well established and rapidly growing plants can tolerate more thrips pressure. The established action threshold for thrips is one thrips per true leaf.

June 3, 2011 Northwest Plains Pest Management News

Monti Vandiver Extension Agent-Integrated Pest Management Texas AgriLife Extension Service 118 West Avenue C Muleshoe, Texas 79347 806-272-4583

http://txipmnet.tamu.edu http://bailey-tx.tamu.edu/

Thrips Pressure

Adult thrips

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“Is this the worst Texas drought ever?

The answer is no, but it certainly is one of the worst, according to Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon, Texas A&M University professor and Texas state climatologist.

"Based on Palmer Drought Severity Index values, this is the third-worst drought Texas has ever seen in the month of May," Nielsen-Gammon writes in his blog, the Climate Abyss. "Records go back to 1895. May also marks the end of the driest eight-month period on record."

The worst droughts remain those in 1918 and 1956, according Nielsen-Gammon” (Southwest Farm Press, June 7, 2011).

More information on the current Texas drought and wildfire alerts can be found on the AgriLife Extension Service Agricultural Drought Task Force website at http://agrilife.tamu.edu/drought/ .

Wind speed has declined over the last week or so which has given irrigated crops an opportunity to switch from mere survival mode to growth and development. Significant crop losses may occur on many irrigated farms, which under normal environmental conditions

(precipitation, temperature and wind) have adequate irrigation capacity to establish and maintain a crop. Portions of some crops have been abandoned in order to save the rest on some farms and is being considered on many others. This is likely one of the toughest decisions a producer must make; producers tend to be an optimistic bunch and unwilling to casually give up on a crop.

Combines are “rolling” in area wheat. Yields will likely be disappointing in many if not most fields due to severe d r o u g h t , h i g h w i n d s , f r e e z e injury, and plant disease.

The area corn crop actually looks pretty good considering the current growing conditions but some fields desperately need additional moisture to sustain the current growth and development pace.

Spider mites are present in some fields; infestations are at varying levels ranging from 0 to 50% infested plants. Thrips are currently



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the key predator and are abundant in most fields. The application window for ground applied preventative miticides is rapidly approaching but r e m e mb e r c u r r e n t preventative miticides will only protect the leaves which are sprayed and any subsequent growth will not be protected. Applications to 1 foot tall corn will only protect those leaves while applications to a larger canopy will protect more of the plant and provide a “bigger bang for the buck”. Currently environmental conditions are favorable for mite development so a preventative mite management plan may be appropriate especially in fields with a history of mite problems.

Thrips continue to build in area cotton, infestation levels have ranged from less than 1/plant to 7.8/plant. Soil applied and seed treatment insecticides have performed satisfactorily as a whole to this point but many have began to lose effectiveness. If immature thrips are present following soil applied or seed treatment then the treatment has lost or is losing its effectiveness. Foliar acephate has been providing very good control but residual activity should not be expected much longer than 5 days. The larger cotton gets the more

thrips it can tolerate; the current established action threshold for thrips in cotton is one per true leaf thru the fifth true leaf stage but under poor growing conditions that threshold may need to be reduced.

Spider mites have been observed infesting some cotton fields. We have seen occasional mites on seeding cotton in previous years but

nowhere near what has been observed recently. Infestations of 50-90% of plants have been observed in a few fields. I have been unable to identify the exact species or determine damage potential but their mere presence should warrant keeping a close eye on them. There is no established action level for spider mites on seedling cotton so management decisions will have to be based on field population dynamics and injury symptoms.




Thrips Pressure

Mite Pressure

Spider mites infesting cotton leaves

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Very hot and dry conditions with substantial winds continue to tax crop production in the Northwest Plains of Texas. Wind speeds have subsided from those experienced in May and crops have responded remarkably well. Corn, cotton and sorghum which is well established is now growing rapidly but is requiring substantial irrigation to maintain normal growth and development. Using general weather conditions and crop coefficients, crops are requiring 1.25 to over 2 inches of moisture per week to sustain current growth and development. To compound that, the hot and windy conditions make sprinkler irrigation systems much less efficient; the amount of irrigation water pumped, in most cases, is significantly less than the actual usable moisture applied.

In a significant number of irrigated and all dryland fields, crop establishment has failed despite continued efforts of producers. If agriculture producers were not so resilient and sky scrapers were available Will Roger’s observation after the stock market crash of 1929, “When Wall Street took that tail spin, you had to stand in line to get a window to jump out of, and speculators were selling space for bodies in the East River" might apply.

Portions of some crops have already been abandoned and abandonment is being considered on many others. If abandonment is being considered one will have to consider crop contract delivery requirements and crop insurance implications in addition to current crop conditions and irrigation capacity.

The area corn crop ranges from just emerged to over 24 inches in height. As corn development continues its moisture demands will rapidly increase. The following graph depicts corn moisture demands at various maturity stages assuming normal environmental conditions.



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Spider mites continue to persist in most corn fields; infestations are at varying levels ranging from 0 to 60% infested plants. Currently environmental conditions are favorable for mite development so a preventative mite management plan may be appropriate especially in fields with a history of mite problems. Remember current preventative miticides will only protect the leaves which are sprayed and any subsequent growth will not be

p r o t e c t e d . Applications to a larger canopy will protect more of the plant and provide a “bigger bang for the buck”.

Thrips continue to infest most area cotton, but infestation levels have been lower than expected. Thrips populations dynamics are also different than observed in previous years; normally thrips populations would be well above 50% immature stage but we are seeing primarily adult populations. Lower thrips pressure over all could be a result of premature desiccation of early season host plants (wheat and weeds) which broke the green bridge between hosts. Soil applied and seed treatment insecticides have performed satisfactorily as a whole but are no longer likely to be suppressing thrips in any but the latest planted

cotton. If immature thrips are present following soil applied or seed treatment then the treatment has lost or is losing its effectiveness. Foliar acephate has been providing very good control but residual

activity should not be expected much longer than 5 days. The larger cotton plants get the more thrips they can tolerate; the current established action threshold for thrips in cotton is one per true leaf thru the fifth true leaf stage but under poor growing conditions that threshold may need to be reduced.

Spider mites that were observed infesting some cotton fields have crashed for the most part. The seeding cotton was likely not an adequate host plant for the mites to become established but continue monitoring for mite infestations as environmental conditions are favorable for mite development.

Large numbers of leaf miners have also been observed in some area cotton, this is not necessarily abnormal but they do appear to be persisting longer into the growing season than in the past. Just one more thing to keep and eye on.

Much of the area wheat has been harvested and as expected wheat harvest is going to be very short this year.




Thrips Pressure

Mite Pressure

Leaf miner adult and mine, photos by David Kerns

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The wind and sand storms Sunday and Monday (June 19 and 20) chased all but a few gluttons for punishment indoors. The very high winds were accompanied by high temperatures further stressing crops. On the brighter side the next two days provided good growing conditions; a bit lower temperature and light only breezy conditions. It goes to the old adage “if you don’t like the weather in the High Plains of Texas just wait till tomorrow”.

2011 thus far has been a year of weather extremes; hot and very windy conditions coupled with minimal rainfall. Year to date rainfall is less than 15% of normal and has been spread out into small increments which decreases benefit to crop production.

With all the “doom and gloom” talk one would assume there are no good crops in the area, but there are. High irrigation capacities, which are greater than normally necessary, have been required, and have come at a high pumping cost. But, even high irrigation capacity alone has not been able to overcome other crop

stressors in many fields.

The area corn crop is rapidly ramping up moisture requirements approaching .3 inches per day, high winds, hot temperature, and irrigation efficiency will dramatically increase irrigation application rates to meet that demand.

Spider mites continue to build in most corn fields; infestations are at varying levels ranging from 20 to 100% infested plants. Currently environmental conditions are favorable for mite development; continual monitoring of mite pressure will be critical in management plans. One needs to know if the population is increasing, decreasing or static to be able to make an informed management decision.

Banks grass mites and two spotted mites are very small, 1/32 inch or less, and are difficult to see without magnification, especially as we age. They are a yellowish to greenish color. Adults have eight legs while immature mites can have six to eight legs depending on life stage. Immature mites look similar to adults. Eggs are very small pearly white spheres. It is very important to be able to differentiate between Banks grass mites and two spotted


012345678

Year to date rainfall (in inches) from Clovis, Friona, Muleshoe, and Muleshoe Wildlife Refuge weather stations versus the 30 year long term average.

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mites. A key distinguishing feature is the dark food sacks of adults which are visible within the outer edges of the body. The food sacks extend all the way down the sides of the

Banks grass mite but only extend half way down the sides of the two spotted mite. This gives the appearance of two dark spots toward the front of the two spotted mites’ body. Both Banks grass mites and two spotted mites may produce webbing but two spotted mites typically produce more. The underside of corn leaves along the midrib is the preferred colony sites.

Thrips continue to infest area cotton, but most cotton is far enough along that risk of yield robbing damage is minimal. Once cotton develops five true leaves it is considered to be safe from thrips damage.

Leaf miners infesting some area cotton, have been observed as high up the plant as the 3rd and 4th true leaf in relatively high numbers and on the 5th true leaf to a lesser extent. Parasitism of the leaf miners has been high but we will need to continue to monitor them to make sure they do not continue to damage leaves. There are no established economic thresholds but Dr. David Kerns suggests, based of his experience in Arizona and what he has observed locally and in south Texas, that one might consider treatment if more than an

average of 3 active mines per true leaf are present. There are a g o o d n u mb e r o f insecticides labeled for leaf miners but we have no data on efficacy.

Much of the cotton has started squaring so square robbing pests will need to be monitored.

The cotton fleahopper is a true bug which can be a significant pest from 1st square to first bloom in Texas High Plains cotton. Fleahoppers can easily disperse from wild hosts to cotton by flight. Wild hosts are not as plentiful as normal due to extremely dry conditions so hopefully fleahopper numbers will be low.

Adult fleahoppers are yellowish green to almost off white and approximately 1/8 inch long with an oval flattened shaped body. They have piercing and s u c k i n g m o u t h p a r t s . Nymphs, the immature stage, look similar to the adult but smaller and without wings. Cotton fleahoppers, especially nymphs, have a somewhat translucent appearance. Small black spots may also be present on the back, legs, and antennae. Fleahoppers are very flighty and will rapidly move when disturbed.




Thrips Pressure

Mite Pressure

Cotton fleahopper adult

Mines on cotton leaf

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At risk of “beating a dead horse” current environmental conditions are brutal.

At high temperatures, plants cannot take up enough water to stay cool. Once the cooling mechanism is disabled, plant cells are damaged by the heat. I refer to this visual symptom as “white leaf”. Many area corn fields have at least some white leaf in them and in some the symptoms are severe. It seems last Saturday and Sunday’s extreme heat and high winds pushed many corn fields past the point where adequate plant cooling could be achieved.

Adding insult to injury Area producers lost basically one full day of irrigation due to power outages as a result of a large grass fire near Muleshoe which damaged main electricity transmission lines.

Irrigation requirements for the third week of June were 50% greater this year compared to the same period in 2010. Current crop demand (100% ET) exceeds 3 inches per week for both corn and cotton Current heat unit accumulations are 140% of the 30 year long term average.

Adjusting irrigation systems to desired time per revolution plus 1/2 day may help combat irrigation inefficiencies related to daytime hot windy conditions by alternating day/night irrigation applications within the field.

Corn growth plateaus at temperatures above 86 degrees F and decreases when temperatures exceed 95 degrees F. If water is adequate, a few days of temperatures above 100 degrees F during ear formation, reproduction and grain fill will not affect yield significantly. However, yields will suffer if temperatures remain that high for extended periods.

The following are highlights of information from “How high temperatures and stress affect corn pollination” (Iowa State University and a Crop


Cotton 100% ET crop water requirements for the 2011 crop season are compared with the 10 year period ending 2009 for cotton with a May 15 plant-ing date in Hale County, Texas. Courtesy: Dana Por-ter, Texas High Plains AgriLife Research and Exten-sion Water Management

Potential Daily Water Use*

Crop Inches per day

Corn V12 .50

Cotton Squaring .41

Sorghum 5 leaf .28 *Daily estimated crop water demands (inches of water per day) during the week ending June 28 based on PET data from Halfway. Provided by Dana Porter.

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Watch article written by Roger Elmore in a University of Nebraska extension newsletter published June 15, 2005). Pollen shed occurs over a two-week period. For kernels to develop, silks must emerge and be fertilized by viable pollen. Silks grow about 1 to 1.5 inches a day and will continue to elongate until fertilized. Temperatures greater than 95° F with low relative humidity will desiccate exposed silks, but not impact silk elongation rates greatly. Pollen is no longer viable once temperatures reach the mid 90's or greater, especially with low relative humidity. Fortunately, pollen shed usually occurs from early to mid-morning when temperatures are lower.

Drought stress slows silk elongation but accelerates pollen shed. This can result in pollen shed occurring before silk emergence. Any stress such as inadequate water, low soil fertility, or too thick of a planting rate can delay silking two or more weeks, thereby reducing seed set if pollen is no longer available. The amount of pollen from one plant is sufficient for ten plants; this provides a degree of compensation and improves the opportunity for fertilization in stressful environments.

The bottom line is that high temperatures will not severely stress corn pollination if soil moisture is adequate. Drought stress along with high temperatures at pollination and silking though can have serious effects. If dry-hot conditions continue over the pollination window, expect to see major differences among fields based on management practices and hybrids. Potential pollination

p r o b l e m s associated with high temperatures c o u l d b e exasperated by silk feeding insects such as fall armyworm, corn earworm and corn rootworm beetles.

Fall armyworms have been found in area corn and sorghum; whorl feeding has been observed in some Bt corn. Most of the FAW whorl feeding in corn has primarily been seen in non-Bt and older single toxin YieldGard hybrids. The presence of FAW should be

carefully monitored as corn enters the reproductive stage.

Spider mites continue to build in some corn fields but have declined in others; infestations are at varying levels ranging from near 0 to 100% infested plants. Key natural enemies include six spotted

thr ips , sp ider mi te destroyers, minute pirate bugs, and predatory mites. Of these the six spotted thrips and minute pirate bugs have been observed in area corn. A spider mite infestation in which a population of six spotted

thrips is established may never progress to damaging levels.

Environmental conditions continue to be favorable for mite development; continual monitoring of mite pressure will be critical in management plans. One needs to know if the population is increasing, decreasing or static to be able to make an informed management decision.

Square set in area cotton has ranged from 88-near 100%. Fleahoppers and other square robbing pests have been few and far between. Any square loss to this point is most likely due to high winds and extreme heat.




Fleahopper Pressure

Mite Pressure

White leaf in an area corn field

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Bailey and Parmer Counties July 7, 2011 Volume 10 Issue 6

Most people have heard the old saying “I’ve got good news and I’ve got bad news”. The good news is crops have responded well to the milder temperatures and decreased wind this past week. Its hard to call mid 90s mild but compared to 110 degrees from mid to late June it was a significant relief. Now for the bad news weather forecasts are predicting higher temperatures near 100 degrees for the next 10 days , though some are calling for mid 90s for a couple days and a 30% chance of rain one day. While some of the corn showed a marked

improvement most c o n t i n u e d development at a moderate pace and s o m e f i e l d s degraded further. Area cotton which w a s w e l l established with adequate moisture has really taken off.

Cotton which had it’s root system severely compromised by black root rot shortly after emergence continues to develop at a very slow pace.

Significant hail damage has been observed in some of the fields which received precipitation from scattered rain events. Local weather stations recorded 0 to .34 inch of rainfall, other isolated reports of rainfall exceeding 1 inch were also received. The hail damage ranges from slight to

severe depending on location, crop and crop stage.

Milder conditions have reduced potential moisture usage by crops significantly compared to latter June requirements. Hopefully temperatures will not rise to the level observed the last part of June anytime soon. Any glitch in irrigation systems, including higher drops, worn out nozzles and pads, bad nozzle packages, and non-ideal pivot speeds, have really been noticeable during the harsh growing conditions. Adjusting irrigation systems to desired time per revolution plus 1/2 day may help combat irrigation inefficiencies related to daytime hot windy conditions by alternating day/night irrigation applications within the field.

Spider mites continue to infest most if not all corn to some degree; infestations are at varying levels ranging from few infested plants with small colonies to 100% infested plants with large colonies. Key natural enemies include six spotted thrips, spider mite destroyers, minute pirate bugs, and predatory mites. Of these the six spotted thrips and minute pirate bugs have been observed in area corn. A spider mite infestation in which a population of six spotted thrips is established may never progress to damaging

Mite Pressure


Potential Weekly Water Use*

Crop Inches per week

Corn V13+ 2.31

Cotton Squaring 1.97

Sorghum 5 leaf 1.41

*Weekly estimated crop water demands (inches of water per week) during the week ending July 6 based on PET data from Lubbock.

Area heat and drought stressed corn

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levels. But warrants close observation.

Environmental conditions continue to be favorable for mite development and as corn transitions from vegetative growth to reproductive (tassel and beyond) it will be a much better host plant and spider mite reproduction will likely increase; continual monitoring of mite pressure will be critical in management plans. One needs to know if the population is increasing, decreasing or static to be able to make an informed management decision.

Silk feeding insects such as fall armyworm and corn rootworm beetles, which have been observed in area corn, should be monitored as corn begins to silk as they could add to potential pollination problems.

Square set in area cotton continues to be very good; most fields will average 90% or better. Fleahoppers and other square robbing pests continue to be very light to this point .

Adult fleahoppers are yellowish green to almost off white and approximately 1/8 inch long with an oval flattened shaped body. They have piercing and sucking mouthparts. Nymphs, the immature stage, look similar to the adult but smaller and without wings. Cotton fleahoppers, especially nymphs, have a somewhat translucent appearance. Small black spots may also be present on the back, legs, and antennae. Fleahoppers are very flighty and will rapidly move when disturbed.

Both adult and immature cotton fleahoppers will feed on tender vegetation including terminal growth, leaf buds and small squares. Pinhead sized squares are most vulnerable and will take on a blasted appearance 1 to 3 days after the feeding occurs. High populations of fleahoppers may cause excessive square shed. Larger squares, blooms and bolls are not damaged by fleahopper feeding. Scouting for cotton fleahoppers is a two fold

process which includes counting fleahoppers and monitoring square set. Since cotton fleahoppers are so weary, scouts must carefully approach the targeted plant keeping a close eye on the plant. Special care should be taken not to cast a shadow

over the targeted plant. Any fleahoppers which fly off the plant as the scout approaches should be counted. The plant should be held below the first fruiting branch to prevent nymphs from running to the ground. The upper and lower surfaces of leaves, squares and the terminal should be closely inspected. Under some crop conditions a beat bucket may be used rather than a visual inspection. A sweep net can be used to sample for fleahoppers but there are no established economic thresholds for this scouting method. Square set should be determined; squares must be counted present or absent and the percent square set calculated.

The economic threshold for cotton fleahopper is based on the number of fleahopper present and the percent square set. Twenty five to thirty cotton fleahoppers per 100 plants is the established number of which must be present to meet the first level of criteria of the economic threshold. In addition to the numbers of fleahoppers present a poor square set should be observed in order to justify an insecticide application; there should be less than 90% square set during the 1st week of squaring, less than 85% square set during the 2nd week of squaring, and less than 75% square set from the start of the 3rd week to first bloom.

July 7, 2011 Northwest Plains Pest Management News



Fleahopper Pressure

Cotton fleahopper nymph.

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Scattered thunder storms brought much needed precipitation to a few who were fortunate enough to be in the path of the storms. The following rainfall totals were recorded by weather stations over the last two weeks.

Individual reports of area rainfall have concurred with weather station data.

Crop moisture demands have continued to ramp up. Current demand of corn easily exceeds 2 inches per week. This high demand, exhausted soil moisture reserves and continued hot dry weather have continued to force producers to consider diverting irrigation recourses in hopes of salvaging at least some of their crop. The following information is from the Texas Corn Producers Board’s discussion with USDA-Risk Management Association officials on Friday, July 8, 2011.

Remember, you will be diverting water from all or parts of a pivot or field insured for grain. Be sure to

use the term “divert” not “abandon.” The rules for determining diversion of water are in the Loss Adjustment Manual (LAM) pages 95-97, paragraph 40. Producers considering diverting acres should:

1. Notify their insurance agent prior to diversion of water.

2. Know how many acres they will be diverting water from and how many they will leave for grain harvest.

3. Their insurance company representative or adjustor will work with them to either: Evaluate yield of corn that is standing,

or Determine how many strips and the

number of rows to be left for evaluation of grain yield prior to destroying, cutting or ensiling the remainder of the crop from the diverted acres. Strips must be maintained as

normal except they should not be watered.

Remaining irrigated portion of crop must be maintained according normal farming practices.

4. At harvest, the strips, if left, will determine yield for the portion of the crop, which




Corn V13+ 2.42

Cotton Squaring 2.06

Sorghum 5 leaf 1.47


Precipitation (July 1-13)

Weather Station Inches

Clovis, NM .12

Friona .08

Muleshoe 2.31

MWR 1.53

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water was diverted from. 5. Final yield calculated for insurance will be

the equivalent of:

(acres diverted x yield of the strips) + (irrigated acres harvested x yield) divided by total field acres

6. Diverted acres chopped for silage or hay will not be penalized, since all settlements will be made on the grain yield. Producers will be able to do either of these with no penalty, just remember to follow the instructions for determining yield.

7. A letter from an AgriLife representative to insurance provider will be required to explain why water was diverted from the acres affected. It is our understanding the producer will have to personally obtain and submit this letter. Producers need to be sure to ask their extension agent about this process. Texas AgriLife Agronomist Brent Bean, stationed in Amarillo, Texas, is aware of this.

Additional resources are available at

www.TexasCorn.org

Spider mites continue to infest most if not all corn to some degree; infestations are at varying levels ranging from few infested plants with small colonies to 100% infested plants with large colonies. Six spotted thrips, a key predator of mites,

have been doing a pretty fair job of suppressing thrips in a few fields. Some fields with a well established mite population have experienced an increase in pressure as the corn entered the tassel stage. Once corn transitions

into reproductive mode it is a much better host plant and mites can rapidly reproduce. Environmental conditions continue to be favorable for mite development, continual monitoring of mite pressure will be critical in management plans. One needs to know if the population is increasing, decreasing or static to be able to make an informed management decision.

Square set in area cotton continues to be very good observations have ranged from 90 to 100%; most fields will average greater than 90%. Fleahoppers and other square robbing pests continue to be very light to this point .

The economic threshold for cotton fleahopper is based on the number of fleahopper present and the percent square set. Twenty five to thirty cotton fleahoppers per 100 plants and unacceptable square set should be observed in order to just i fy an insect ic ide application.




Fleahopper Pressure

Mite Pressure

Salvage harvest of corn for silage

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http://www.TexasCorn.org


Some of the area corn continues to be harvested prematurely due to extreme drought conditions. While not ideal by any means “something is better than nothing.” Some severely stressed crops, which received significant precipitation last week, have not responded to the additional moisture but later planted and crops in better condition have shown improvement. The rainfall was just to late to salvage some crops. I have noticed that some dryland cotton has started to emerge but obviously it has no chance of developing into a harvestable crop.

Many forage crops are being planted behind recent thunder storms in attempt to produce a bit more feed which will desperately be needed in confined animal feeding operations.

Much of the irrigated cotton is going into bloom with 7-8 nodes above white flower (NAWF) with very good square set which is an indication of good yield potential assuming adequate growing season to mature the crop. Cotton under more stress is , as expected, going into bloom with less potential and some fields have yet to start blooming.

At this point projecting yield in area corn would be a crap shoot, but one thing is certain yields will be significantly lower than we have seen in a long time. Yield reports for corn that has be prematurely harvested (no ear) for silage have ranged from 3 to 6 tons/acre. A very rough “rule of thumb” I’ve heard tossed around is one ton/acre per foot of plant height. Once remaining corn has pollinated and set

grain we might be able to tell a little more about what we’ve got.

Spider mites continue to infest most if not all corn t o s o m e d e g r e e ; infestations are at varying levels ranging from few infested plants with small colonies to 100% infested plants with large colonies. Mites have began to reinfest some corn which had a preventative

miticide application earlier in the growing season.

Six spotted thrips, continue to be the primary mite predator in area corn. It is 1/15 inch and has three small brown spots down each wing, six total thus the name six spotted thrips, (entomologists try to keep things simple). The spots are difficult to see without magnification. It is reported that the larvae of this thrips eats about ten mites eggs per day and the adult eats up to sixty mite eggs per day. This predator has been known to completely eliminate spider mite infestations from corn but under current

Mite Pressure




Corn VT 2.30

Cotton 1st bloom 2.27

Sorghum 5 leaf 1.34

*Weekly estimated crop water demands (inches of water per week) during the week ending July 13 based on PET data from Lubbock. Six spotted thrips

97



mite pressure and environmental conditions they have their work cutout for them. But when conserved they will make mite suppression much more stable and will limit re-infestation risks.

Fall armyworm egg masses and larvae have been observed in some area corn fields, while these infestations have not been extremely high to this point, this is one pest that will make me lose sleep at night; many times it is difficult to determine uniform field infestation levels, very difficult to control once established and no action thresholds are available for guidance. Heavy infestations during pollination can limit grain set due to silk feeding . Control of this pest with Bt hybrids is not as predictable and is very dependant on the Bt technology used. Most of the newer stacked trait and Herculex hybrids suppress FAW better than the old single trait technology but this pest warrants continued monitoring regardless of the Bt technology used.

Western corn rootworm (WCRW) beetles have been observed in many area fields, infestations levels are highest in corn fields which were planted to corn the previous year. Female western rootworm beetles are yellow with black stripes; male beetles vary from striped to nearly black.

A d u l t r o o t w o r m beetles feed on leaves, pollen and tassels, but they prefer silks. When adults are numerous (8 to 10 per plant) during the green silk stage and the silks are chewed back to within 1⁄2 inch of the shuck, poorly filled ears may result from poor pollination. When this amount of feeding occurs, or if excessive leaf damage occurs, it

is profitable to control the beetles. However, insecticides can cause an outbreak of spider mites by destroying predators. Insecticide treatments for adult beetle control should only be used when absolutely necessary.

Cotton - As mentioned previously many irrigated cotton fields entered bloom with a high square set and 7-8 NAWF. As these fields begin to develop bolls more moisture will be necessary to support the fruit load. Moisture stress during this period may lead to a shortened bloom period thus reducing yield potential. Adequate irrigation to Maintain 6-7 NAWF over the next couple weeks then fading to 5 NAWF Aug 7-10 would be a reference to shoot for.

In general, pest pressure in cotton remains very light. Once cotton is blooming fleahoppers are no longer considered a pest but Lygus bugs can continue to damage cotton during bloom through early cutout. Lygus infestations, to this point, have been extremely low. Adults are 1/4 inch long, have a conspicuous triangle in the center of the back, are winged, and vary in color from pale green to yellowish brown with reddish brown to black markings.



http://txipmnet.tamu.edu http://bailey-tx.tamu.edu/ WCRW silk feeding

Lygus adult

FAW egg mass and larva

98


Hot dry conditions continue to dominate Northwest Plains weather. Temperature forecasts for the next 7 days range from 97-101 degree highs and 68-72 degree lows. 75% of Texas is considered to be under “exceptional drought” conditions whitch is the most severe classification. Forecasts give little hope for precipitation in the next 10 days; I actually heard one weather forecaster state that precipitation was possible in the next ten days but it was also possible that he could win the lottery. If the “weather man” wins the lottery the NW portion of Parmer County looks to have the greatest chance of precipitation over the next few days.

With little hope of significant precipitation in the near future, area crops will continue to struggle in growth and development.

Southwestern Corn Borer (SWCB) is a major pest of non-Bt corn on the High Plains of Texas. They have a few alternative hosts including sorghum and johnsongrass but none are as preferred or suitable as corn.

Adults are ¾ inch long white moths with no distinct markings other than tan scales along the veins of their wings. The wings, when at rest, are folded around the body in a tent like shape. Eggs are creamy white, flattened, approximately 1/8 inch in diameter and can be laid singly or in groups of 2 to 3 or more. When in groups eggs are laid in an overlapping pattern resembling fish scales. Eggs will develop 3 parallel red bands about 1 day after they were laid. There are two color phases of larvae. In the summer larvae are white with conspicuous dark brown to black spots.

Yield losses may occur as a direct result of stalk and or ear shank feeding, as well as lodging. Small




Corn Silk 2.73


Sorghum 5 leaf 1.68


Image provided by the National Weather Service

SWCB adult and newly laid and red line eggs

99



larvae will feed on leaves, ear shoots, husks, and silk for about 5 to 10 days before tunneling into the stalk or ear shank and continuing to feed.

Second generation SWCB will lay 75% of their eggs on the upper surface of the middle 7 leaves; the ear leaf, two above and four below. Inspection should be concentrated in this zone. A sufficient number of plants across the field should be inspected to get an accurate representation of the percentage of plants infested with eggs or larvae. The established economic threshold for second generation SWCB is when 20 to 25% of plants are infested with eggs on small larvae.

Bt technology is very effective in suppressing SWCB but traditional hybrids must be carefully monitored for this pest. There are a variety of insecticides available to manage SWCB in corn. Timing is critical when making an insecticide application; insecticides must be applied prior to larvae boring into the stalk to be effective. Insecticides should be selected carefully; some are harsh on beneficial arthropods and may cause a secondary outbreak of an existing sub-threshold spider mite population.

Spider mites continue to infest area corn. Corn fields which were treated early in the vegetative stage continue to look good but mites have began to reinfest some fields. Curative miticide applications

(Oberon for the most part) have performed very well thus far. I have several mite trials out evaluating labeled (Oberon, Onager and Comite) and some potential new products, but we are just beginning to collect post treatment data.

Six spotted thrips, continue to be the primary mite predator in area corn. This predator has been known to completely eliminate spider mite infestations from corn and have been making a significant impact in mite populations.

Area Cotton has a wide range of development which in most cases is directly tied to available moisture. Most cotton is blooming; nodes above white flower (NAWF) counts have ranged from 3-9.

Later planted fields (last week of May) have just started to bloom and will need to be managed for earliness especially if adequate moisture is present and NAWF are greater than 8 going into bloom.

In general, pest pressure in cotton remains very light. Lygus infestations, to this point, have been extremely low. A few green stink bugs have been noted in a few fields as well but again in low numbers.

Striped flea beetles have been observed in very high numbers (approximately 1000/100 sweeps) in a field in northern Parmer County. The beetles are a bit over 1/8 inch long, shiny black, with two yellowish stripes down their back. Adult beetles are foliage feeders and have been observed feeding on cotton leaves and bracts. There is very little information about this pest in cotton but should likely be managed based on plant defoliation.

Other crops should be monitored for this pest as well as the beetle has a wide host range which includes potatoes, sunflowers, tomatoes, peanuts, corn, cotton, peas, beans, watermelon, grapes and pumpkins.




Mite Pressure

Striped flea beetle

100

Bailey and Parmer Counties August 4, 2011 Volume 10 Issue 10

Area irrigated agriculture producers continue to struggle maintaining their crops in these drought conditions. Dryland producers currently have nothing to maintain. According to the NOAA “US Seasonal Drought Outlook” current drought conditions will likely persist on the High Plains of Texas at least through October 31 but the eastern 1/3 of New Mexico may start to see some relief. The following map is from NOAA and depicts the US drought outlook from July 21-October 31, 2011.

Area Cotton for the most part is racing toward if not already reached cutout. Many fields which were at 7 nodes above white flower (NAWF) have declined to less than 5 in a week. In some cases two first position fruiting sites are blooming at the same time; under ideal conditions they should bloom 2.5-3 days apart. My theory is that under the harsh environmental conditions fruiting node development may have out paced the development of established squares. In addition plants simply do not have the resources to develop additional fruiting sites and continue to develop existing squares and bolls, something we generally don’t see till NAWF have dropped below 5. This, along with continued hot dry conditions, is resulting in some fields reaching cutout sooner than expected. Significant fruit shed is likely in many fields. I mentioned last week about managing some “late” fields for earliness, it appears mother nature is certainly doing her part to speed maturity.

The cotton plant’s water use increases dramatically during the stage from first bloom to open boll. Measured as evapotranspiration




Corn blister 2.42


Sorghum GPD 1.49


101



(water lost from the soil and the plant), water use can be as high 0.4 inches per day or 2.8 inches per week. Once blooming starts, cotton prefers frequent, low-volume applications of water rather than large, less frequent amounts. This strategy minimizes the degree of water stress between rain or irrigation and thus may increase fruit retention.

In general, pest pressure in cotton remains very light. As cotton continues to develop bolls, cotton bollworms could become an issue. Adults are yellowish brown moths with a wing s p a n o f approximately 1.5 inches. Females have brown forewings while the male’s forewings exhibit more of an olive tint and both may have darker brown markings on their wings.

Eggs are about the size of a pin head, white and somewhat domed shaped with ridges running from top to bottom.

Drought stressed cotton with l i t t le tender

vegetation in the terminal is not as attractive or suitable host plant compared to plants with lush growth. Larval survival in smaller drought stressed cotton is decreased especially when combined with high temperatures. Corn is the preferred host and with the vast maturity range of area corn, bollworm infestations could be sporadic depending on adjacent crops and crop conditions.

Spider mites are present in most corn fields, infestations range from light to very heavy. Most preventative miticide applications are holding pretty well even though mites have started to build behind some applications in the more stressed fields. Miticide (primarily Oberon) applications to well established mite populations have performed very well and with a faster knock down than anticipated.

Mite predators including six spotted thrips, spider mite destroyers and minute pirate bugs are abundant and are providing suppression but may need a little help from a miticide under heavy pressure. This is where choosing a miticide soft on beneficials will pay big dividends.

August 4, 2011 Northwest Plains Pest Management News



Mite Pressure

General Cotton Pest Pressure

102


Crops continue to challenge producers at every turn, many if not most, current issues are simply a culmination of this years hot, dry and windy weather conditions. At some point accumulated crop stress will overwhelm the plants ability to hold on. Dr. Bob Nielson (Extension Corn Specialist, Purdue University) presented me with a good analogy; “the crops ability to cope with stress is like a roller coaster, once you break over the top and start down there is nothing you can do to stop it.” Some of our remaining crops are very near the top, some are on the way down and some have yet to get on the roller coaster.

Over the last several days some corn fields have begun to shut down prematurely. It appears that the plants have and are simply giving up, likely due to cumulative effects of this summer's heat and drought stress. Symptoms include white leaves in the ear zone, ear shucks turning yellowish white and

ears beginning to “hang” from the main stalk rather than remain upright.

Corn can tolerate a limited number of extreme temperature days without significant impact but continual very high temperatures, as we’ve seen in 2011, may eventually cause plants to begin to prematurely desiccate. Currently local weather stations have recorded daily temperatures equal to or greater than 100 degrees three to five times (depending on location) what is normally observed. These stressed plants will have difficulty in filling grain and may cannibalize stalks in an effort to achieve grain fill. This, in turn, may lead to lodging issues as the field nears harvest.

I would consider the area irrigated cotton crop to be fair at best. Broad crop condition descriptions many times are the average of extremes. The area cotton is no different, irrigated cotton crop conditions range from very poor to pretty good.

Some later planted fields with good irrigation capacity look good but are late developing a good fruit load.

Cracked bolls have been observed in a few cotton fields which set early fruit. As moisture demands and temperatures ramped up the plant



Crop/Stage Inches per week

Corn/dough 2.33

Cotton/max bloom 1.78

Sorghum/flag 1.84

*Weekly estimated crop water demands (inches of water per week) during the week ending August 10 based on PET data from Lubbock.

“Hanging” ear on corn plant

103



was unable to supply sufficient moisture to maintain boll development. The bolls are not mature they are just drying up.

A few bollworm moths have be fluttering around but worm infestations have not been detected in the fields I have visited. Cotton fields should be regularly monitored during periods of predicted egg lay. Whole plants should be carefully inspected for eggs, larvae, and key predators. Plants should be selected

from random sites across a field to obtain an accurate estimate of the bollworm population. N u m b e r s o f bol lworm eggs, larvae, and key predators should be estimated on a per acre basis.

Treatment may be justified in conventional cotton if 10,000 small (1/4 inch or less) larvae per acre are present. If larvae are 3/8 inch or more in length then treatment will likely be justified if 5,000 or more larvae per acre are present. Treatment decisions in Bt cotton should not be made based on small larvae since some feeding must occur before larvae are controlled. Treatment of Bt cotton may be justified if 5,000 or more medium sized larvae (3/8 to ½ inch) per acre are present and square and/or boll damage is observed. High temperatures and small plant canopy will reduce larval survival so infestations just reaching threshold of newly hatched worms may warrant a wait and see approach for a

couple days under current conditions.

A few Lygus have been present in a few late maturing cotton fields but infestations remain well b e l o w t r e a t m e n t thresholds.

Fall armyworm egg masses have been observed i n a l a r m i n g numbers in some late planted corn fields. This pest should be closely monitored in all Bt technologies but this pest can wreak havoc in non-Bt corn. If treatment is deemed necessary, selection of insecticide should be carefully considered. Choosing one softer on beneficials will conserve natural enemies and may prevent a subsequent spider mite outbreak.

Spider mite predators including six spotted thrips, spider mite destroyers and minute pirate bugs have really “made a hand” lately, some spider mite infestations near treatment levels have been reduced to very low levels by these predators over the last week. Keep a close eye on spider mite pressure as they can rob yield till corn reaches full dent; after dent heavy mite infestations may result in poor stalk strength and lodging issues.




Mite Pressure

General Cotton Pest Pressure

FAW egg mass and larva

Bollworm eggs

104


Harvest of mature silage corn has started in the area and “salvage” harvest of severely stressed corn continues. Some corn fields have really gone down hill this week and are not likely to finish filling grain. Cotton continues to undergo heavy fruit shed; in some instances to the point only 2-3 bolls per plant remain on the plant. Some remaining bolls are prematurely cracking as a result of extreme heat and dry conditions. With that said some area crops look pretty good for what they've gone through. So what separates to good from the bad? My first thought would be different irrigation capacities which is very true in some instances but we are seeing extremely different crop conditions on fields with similar irrigation capacity. Under the extreme environmental conditions slight differences in production practices may have had a significant impact on how the crop “weathered the storm”. A few examples of subtle production practices that appear to have stood out this year but might not have under milder conditions are planting date, variety/hybrid selection, inter-row ripping, poor seed bed, irrigation pattern/timing, soil compaction, plant population, etc. Even slight variances seem to have made dramatic differences in current crop conditions.

Bollworm pressure remains very light thus far. A few more moths have been observed in

cotton fields this week compared to last but field infestations have been near zero. O c c a s i o n a l l y slight feeding on blooms has been observed but, in most cases, the

culprit could not be found. Fall armyworms (FAW) have been observed in other crops and may eventually infest cotton. It is important to distinguish the two as control options will differ. Very small worms are extremely difficult to tell one from the other but as they get some size several key identifiers will be present. FAW will have an inverted “Y” on it’s head, has a black spot on it’s side just behind the last pair of true legs, will have a smooth somewhat greasy appearance and has 4 evenly spaced black Bollworm

Pressure




Corn/dough 1.74


Sorghum/boot 1.57


Cotton bollworm entering boll

105



spots arranged in a rectangle on the eighth abdominal segment.

Because of the similarity in damage and difficulty in distinguishing small FAW larvae from bollworms, they should be included along with bollworm counts and the threshold used should be accumulative. Bollworms are most often controlled with pyrethroids, which are generally weak against armyworms and FAW are typically controlled with a variety of insecticides that tend to be weak against bollworms. Thus, when mixed populations of armyworms and bollworms are encountered, it may be necessary to use tank mixes of insecticides to achieve adequate control of multiple species.

Treatment may be justified in conventional cotton if 10,000 small (1/4 inch or less) larvae per acre are present. If larvae are 3/8 inch or more in length then treatment will likely be justified if 5,000 or more larvae per acre are present. Treatment decisions in Bt cotton should not be made based on small larvae since some feeding must occur before larvae are controlled. Treatment of Bt cotton may be justified if 5,000 or more medium sized larvae (3/8 to ½ inch) per acre are present and square and/or boll damage is observed. High temperatures and small plant canopy will reduce larval survival so infestations just reaching threshold of newly hatched worms may warrant a couple days of a “wait and see” approach under current conditions.

Stalk rot has been observed in area corn. Symptoms vary depending on the organism involved, but they all result in stalk decay and lodging which causes difficulty in harvesting. Yields are reduced by poor ear development and by loss of ears on lodged plants at harvest time.

Corn hybrids vary widely in their resistance to stalk rot and harsh environmental conditions

will initiate and worsen stalk rot in hybrids not normally prone to stalk rot.

Fall armyworm egg masses detected in some late planted corn fields last week have turned into extreme infestations of worms this week. Infestations as high as 110% have been observed.

Spider mite infestations have declined to low levels in many if not most fields. Once corn reaches full dent spider mites can no longer impact yield but still could reduce stalk strength.

Mark Your Calendar Cotton Field Day August 30, 2011

More details to follow.




FAW Pressure

Mite Pressure

106


Corn silage harvest is in high gear. In the past the beginning of silage harvest would bring rain but it looks like mother nature will once again go against the norm. A few mature cotton bolls have began to open in a few fields.

Current heat unit accumulations (DD60) are 138% of normal (30 year long term average 1971-2000). Mother nature has provided plenty of energy for our crops but very few raw materials (precipitation). In order to build a crop with the abundant energy, we needed a lot of moisture to go along with it. Crops have been unable to utilize the excess energy which has increased moisture demands in turn degrading crops due to moisture stress.

Fall armyworm infestations in late planted corn, sorghum, and forage sorghum fields have been high.

Infestations as high as 200% have been observed. Trap capture data provided by Pat Porter have sky rocketed recently which indicated continued high infestation rates may continue. Emerging tender wheat will be very attractive to FAW moths

and would make heavy infestations likely on early planted wheat.

Drooping ears in corn continue to increase. This

condition seems to be linked to drought stress that continues into the grain filling period. The ear shank simply can no longer support the ear and begins to collapse. The ear shank is the supply line which delivers photosynthates to the ear to be used to fill grain. If this supply is cut off or significantly reduced yield will likely be compromised. If the collapse occurs at dent just as the starch line forms, yield losses as high as 40% could be possible. Later onset of the condition near 50% starch line yield losses would likely be around 12%. Most fields where ear droop is worst is in fields where moderate stress occurred early in the season allowing a larger ear to develop which is now requiring more resources to fill.

FAW Pressure




Corn/dough 1.74


Sorghum/boot 1.91

*Weekly estimated crop water demands (inches of water per week) during the week ending August 24 based on PET data from Lubbock. Drooping ears in corn

107



Spider mite infestations have declined to low levels in many if not most fields. Once corn reaches full dent spider mites can no longer impact yield but still could reduce stalk strength.

Bollworm pressure remains very light, with only occasional slight feeding on blooms has been noted Normally treatment may be justified in conventional

cotton if 10,000 small (1/4 inch or less) or 5,000 medium (3/8 inch or greater) larvae per acre are present but under current weather and crop conditions these numbers can be increased. Any boll which bloomed on or before August 5 has accumulated 470 heat units

and is considered safe form bollworm damage.

Minute pirate bugs are abundant in most area cotton fields. They typically inhabit the upper 1/3 of the cotton plant as well as other blooms. These very small predators (approximately 1/8 inch) have the ability to quickly r e s p o n d t o increased prey. Minute pirate bugs will feed on many key cotton pests and insect eggs including bollworm eggs and small larvae . They can consume one cotton bollworm egg per day and/or 1 to 2 small larvae every 2 days.

Cotton Field Day August 30, 2011

The Texas AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a Cotton Field Day, Tuesday, August 30, 2011 beginning at 9 a.m. The Field Day will start at the Mark Williams farm 5 miles NE of Farwell, TX on US 60 then 2 miles east on FM 3333 and will conclude by noon or shortly after.

The Field Day will be focused on three replicated cotton variety trials in which 27 cotton varieties are being evaluated as well as a cotton seed treatment trial. Most cotton seed companies will have varieties represented. AgriLife Extension and ag industry personnel will be on hand to answer questions about the trials.

Field Day directions are available online at the Bailey AgriLife Extension web site, go to http://bailey-tx.tamu.edu and click on “Cotton Field Day Map” to view a map for the Field Day. The systems trial is NE of Farwell. You can click on each site for more details of the trial at that location. For more information call AgriLife Extension; Monti Vandiver or Curtis Preston at 806-272-4583 or Benji Henderson at 806-481-3619.




Bollworm Pressure

Mite Pressure

Minute pirate bug nymph

Minute pirate bug adult feeding on bollworm

108

Bailey and Parmer Counties September 1, 2011 Volume 10 Issue 14

Corn harvest continues in all stages of corn from salvage haying to silage chopping to combining for grain. Reported silage yields have varied greatly from field to field and have ranged from 12 to 30 tons/acre. Early grain yield reports have been very low, near 2,500 lbs/acre (likely very heavily stressed corn). I expect grain yields to improve considerably as harvest continues; there will be some very good yields but sadly they will not be the norm this year.

The scenario appears to be the same in the cotton patch; but since cotton many times will deliver more or less than what it looks like it might, I continue to hope for the best. With that said there are many irrigated fields which just don’t have much potential to surprise us for the good but hopefully those fields which do have more potential will deliver more than promised. There are some fields with tremendous yield potential in the area, but as in corn, there are just not enough of them.

Bollworm pressure remains very light, a few small worms feeding on blooms and small bolls have been observed. More eggs have been found this week compared to last. It would be difficult for a significant worm population to become established in the more mature cotton which is hardened off. Normally treatment may be justified in conventional cotton if 10,000 small (1/4 inch or less) or 5,000 medium (3/8 inch or greater) larvae per acre are present but under current weather and crop

conditions the numbers of small worms can be increased due an expected increased mortality. A mixed population of bollworms and fall armyworms should be counted together and applied to the bollworm threshold above. When making treatment decisions make sure you know if there is a mixed population as treatment options will differ. Recent work done by Kerns and Anderson indicate that a tank mix of a pyrethroid and an armyworm material (Belt in this case) performed better on both species than either product alone .




Corn 1.70

Cotton .94-1.56

Sorghum 1.61-1.87


109



There are several other potential tank mix partners that might be considered as well as a couple new p roduc t s . P reva thon (rynaxypyr) is a new lepidopteron material that has shown promise as a good tank mix partner and appears to be particularly “hot” on fall armyworms. Besiege, a new all in one product, is also available; it is a premix of lamda-cyhalothrin and Chlorantraniliprole. The Chlorantraniliprole component is expected to be particularly effective on fall armyworms.

Any boll which bloomed on or before August 13 has accumulated 450 heat units or more and is considered safe form b o l l w o r m d a m a g e . Normally we would not receive enough heat units to justify protecting the later bolls but at our

current pace we should be able to extend our effective bloom period some.

Verticillium wilt has began to show up in some cotton fields. Normally hot dry conditions are not favorable for verticillium development but disease symptoms have been observed in fields planted to susceptible varieties. Fields s h o u l d b e evaluated as fall progresses to get a handle on disease presence and density to be able to make better variety selection for individual fields next year.

Stalk rot has caused some corn to began to lodge; thus far lodging has been minimal but as corn continues to dry, stalks will weaken further. Keep a close eye on fields as they dry down and schedule harvest accordingly to minimize field losses.

Early planted wheat is a risky proposition at present. Fall armyworm, beet armyworm and army cutworm infestations not to mention extremely hot dry conditions could make stand establishment difficult and costly. Delayed planting will help avoid potential armyworm damage but if cattle are scheduled for a specific delivery date one may have to get the wheat planted. If wheat must be planted it should be closely and regularly monitored after it emerges for armyworm infestations.

Cotton Field Day September 6, 2011

11:00 AM The turn-row meeting will be held at the Luke Steelman Farm directly behind Luke’s house. Specifically on the west side of the circle which is located on CR 14, 1 mile North of CR N and just South of Parmerton Dairy. A customer appreciation lunch will follow at the Friona gin following the turn-row meeting. For more information contact Benji Henderson at 806-481-3619.

The Bailey–Parmer Cotton Field Day was held August 30, if you were unable to attend and would like to take a look at some of the local cotton trials feel free to contact the Extension office.

There are several industry field days scheduled in September as well. These opportunities will provide producers an chance to gather information from sponsoring companies about their current and future products.

September 1, 2011 Northwest Plains Pest Management News



Bollworm Pressure

110

Bailey and Parmer Counties October 6, 2011 Volume 10 Issue 15

Harvest operations continue in area corn fields and have began in a few cotton patches. Corn yields have been disappointing for the most part but a few fields have actually produced remarkably well considering the environmental conditions during the growing season. Extreme temperatures have taken their toll and, in addition, little precipitation was

received to offset the additional moisture demands caused by the extreme temperatures. Reported grain yields have ranged from near 40 bu/acre to a few exceeding 230 bu/acre; yield reports most often

fall into a range between 90 and 135 bu/acre. To put these numbers into perspective, the Parmer County average corn yield in 2009 was 217 bu/acre. Cotton harvest has kicked off but not on a large scale. Cotton harvest aids are being applied to condition the area cotton for harvest. Using the accumulated heat unit method to determine boll maturity any boll

which bloomed before Aug 8 has accumulated 850 heat units and is considered fully mature. One caveat to this method is that it assumes normal crop development; plants under extreme drought stress may not develop at the generally expected pace. Nodes above upper most cracked boll (NACB) have ranged from less than 2 to over 7. Cotton is considered ready for a harvest aid application when NACB reaches 4. The following harvest aid information was taken from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service “2011 High Plains and Northern Rolling Plains Cotton Harvest-Aid Guide” prepared by Dr. Mark Kelly, et al.




Wheat .63 Sorghum soft dough 1.20 *Weekly estimated crop water demands (inches of water per week) during the week ending Oct 5 based on PET data from Lubbock.

**Special Announcement** The Texas Department of Agriculture regulates the shipment of certain cotton products and equipment traveling from quarantined areas in the state. There is a danger of reintroducing the boll weevil into eradicated areas by moving items such as gin waste and cotton burrs into eradicated areas. For more information contact Dr. Robert Crocker, TDA, 512-463-6332

Precipitation to date normal = 15.6

111

2011 HIGH PLAINS COTTON HARVEST-AID DECISION TABLE NOT ALL TREATMENTS ARE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE RATES LISTED ARE UNITS OF PRODUCT PER ACRE

CROP CONDITION DRY TEMPERATURES

GREATER THAN 80⁰ F (0‐3 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT)

DRY TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 80⁰ F

(0‐3 DAYS AFTER TREATMENT)

WETTEMPERATURES LESS THAN 75⁰ F


Gramoxone Inteon 8‐16 oz1 Gramoxone Inteon 8‐16 oz1 Gramoxone Inteon 8‐16 oz1

Firestorm or Parazone 5.3‐10.7 oz1 Firestorm or Parazone 5.3‐10.7 oz1 Firestorm or Parazone 5.3‐10.7 oz1

Gramoxone Inteon 4‐8 ozfollowed by (FB) Gramoxone Inteon

up to 48 oz total2

Gramoxone Inteon 8‐12 ozFB Gramoxone Inteon up to 48 oz

total2

Gramoxone Inteon 8‐12 oz FB Gramoxone Inteon up to 48 oz

total2

Firestorm or Parazone 2.6‐5.3 oz

FB Firestorm up to 32 oz total2

or Parazone up to 32 oz total3







Gramoxone Inteon 6‐10 oz

+ defoliant/desiccant4 Gramoxone Inteon 8‐12 oz

+ defoliant/desiccant4Gramoxone Inteon 10‐24 oz

+ defoliant/desiccant4

Firestorm or Parazone 4‐6.7 oz +

defoliant/desiccant4Firestorm or Parazone 5.3‐8 oz

+ defoliant/desiccant4Firestorm or Parazone 6.7‐16 oz


Ginstar 6‐8 oz banded Ginstar 8 oz banded Ginstar 8‐10 oz banded

Aim EC 1 oz + COC with or without defoliant/desiccant



Aim EC 1 oz + COC

FB Aim EC 1 oz + COC5 Aim EC 1 oz + COC


FB Aim EC 1 oz + COC5

ET 1.5‐2 oz + COC with or without defoliant/desiccant



ET 1.5‐2 oz + COC

FB ET 1.5‐2 oz + COC5 ET 1.5‐2 oz + COC


FB ET 1.5‐2 oz + COC5

Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC with or without defoliant/desiccant



Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC

FB Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC5 Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC

FB Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC5 Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC FB Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC5

Resource 6‐8 oz + COC FB Resource 4‐6 oz + COC5



HEIGHT: Short 12‐14 inches

YIELD: up to 500 lb/acre

112

2011 HIGH PLAINS COTTON HARVEST-AID DECISION TABLE (continued) NOT ALL TREATMENTS ARE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE RATES LISTED ARE UNITS OF PRODUCT PER ACRE

CROP CONDITION DRY TEMPERATURES




WETTEMPERATURES LESS THAN 75⁰ F


Gramoxone Inteon 6‐10 oz1

+ defoliant/desiccant4 Gramoxone Inteon 8‐12 oz1

+ defoliant/desiccant4 Gramoxone Inteon 10‐24 oz1


Firestorm or Parazone 4‐6.7 oz1

+ defoliant/desiccant4Firestorm or Parazone 5.3‐8 oz1

+ defoliant/desiccant4 Firestorm or Parazone 6.7‐16 oz1 +

defoliant/desiccant4

Gramoxone Inteon 4‐8 oz followed by (FB) Gramoxone Inteon up to 48 oz

total2

Gramoxone Inteon 6‐8 oz FB Gramoxone Inteon up to 48 oz

total2 –




Firestorm or Parazone 4‐5.3 oz


or Parazone up to 32 oz total3 –

Ginstar 6‐8 oz Ginstar 8 oz Ginstar 8‐10 oz Aim EC 1 oz + COC + defoliant/desiccant

Aim EC 1 oz + COC + defoliant/desiccant

Aim EC 1 oz + COC + defoliant/desiccant

Aim EC 1 oz + COC



FB Aim EC 1 oz + COC5




ET 1.5‐2 oz + COC



FB ET 1.5‐2 oz + COC5




Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC



FB Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC5

Resource 6‐8 oz + COC

FB Resource 4‐6 oz + COC5 Resource 6‐8 oz + COC

FB Resource 4‐6 oz + COC5 Resource 6‐8 oz + COC

FB Resource 4‐6 oz + COC5

Prep 16 oz + Ginstar 3‐5 oz Prep 16‐21 oz6 + Ginstar 3‐5 oz Prep 21 oz6 + Ginstar 3‐5 oz Prep 16‐21 oz + Folex 8‐16 oz Prep 16‐21 oz6 + Folex 16 oz Prep 21 oz6 + Folex 16 oz Prep 16‐21 oz + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC

or + Resource 6‐8 oz5 + COC

Prep 16‐21 oz6

+ Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


Prep 21 oz6


or + Resource 6‐8 oz5 + COC Finish 6 Pro 21 oz + defoliant (Folex 8 oz or Ginstar 3‐5 oz)

Finish 6 Pro 21‐32 oz6

(defoliant may be required) Finish 6 Pro 21‐42 oz6

(defoliant may be required) FirstPick 3 pts + Ginstar 3 oz FirstPick 3‐4 pts6 + Ginstar 5 oz FirstPick 4 pts6 + Ginstar 6‐8 oz

FOR TREATMENTS LISTED BELOW, A SEQUENTIAL APPLICATION OF PARAQUAT (OR OTHER DESICCANT ACTIVITY PRODUCT) 10‐14 DAYS AFTER INITIAL TREATMENT WILL LIKELY BE

NECESSARY TO SUFFICIENTLY CONDITION CROPHEIGHT:Medium15‐24 inches

YIELD:500+ lb/acre

113

2011 HIGH PLAINS COTTON HARVEST-AID DECISION TABLE (continued) NOT ALL TREATMENTS ARE EQUALLY EFFECTIVE RATES LISTED ARE UNITS OF PRODUCT PER ACRE

CROP CONDITION

DRY TEMPERATURES




WET TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 75⁰ F


Prep 21 oz + Folex 8‐16 oz Prep 21 oz + Folex 16 oz Prep 21‐28 oz6 + Folex 16 oz Finish 6 Pro 21 oz + defoliant (Folex 8 oz or Ginstar 3‐5 oz)

Finish 6 Pro 21‐32 oz6 + defoliant (Folex 8‐10 oz or Ginstar 4‐6 oz)

Finish 6 Pro 32‐42 oz6 + defoliant (Folex 8‐10 oz or Ginstar 6‐8 oz)

Finish 6 Pro 21 oz + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


Finish 6 Pro 21‐326 oz + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


Finish 6 Pro 32‐426 oz + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC

or + Resource 6‐8 oz5 + COC Prep 21 oz + Ginstar 3‐5 oz Prep 21‐24 oz6 + Ginstar 4‐6 oz Prep 24‐326 oz + Ginstar 6‐8 oz Prep 21 oz + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


Prep 21‐24 oz6



Prep 24‐326 oz + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC

or + Resource 6‐8 oz5 + COC FirstPick 3‐4pts + Ginstar 3‐5 oz FirstPick 4‐5 pts6 + Ginstar 6‐8 oz FirstPick 6‐7pts6 + Ginstar 6‐8 oz FirstPick 3‐4 pts + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


FirstPick 4‐5 pts6



FirstPick 6‐7 pts6


or + Resource 6‐8 oz5 + COC Ginstar 6‐8 oz Ginstar 8 oz Ginstar 8‐10 oz

Gramoxone Inteon 4‐8 oz Gramoxone Inteon 6‐12 oz Gramoxone Inteon 10‐16 oz Firestorm or Parazone 2.6‐5.3 oz Firestorm or Parazone 4‐8 oz Firestorm or Parazone 6.7‐10.7 oz Prep 21‐24 oz Prep 21‐32 oz6 Prep 32‐42 oz6

Prep 21‐24 oz + Folex 8 oz or + Ginstar 8 oz or + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


Prep 21‐32 oz6

+ Folex 8 oz or + Ginstar 8 oz or + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


Prep 24‐32 oz6

+ Folex 16 oz or + Ginstar 8‐16 oz or + Aim EC 1 oz + COC or + Blizzard 0.5‐0.6 oz + COC or + ET 1.5 oz + COC


FOR TREATMENTS LISTED BELOW, A SEQUENTIAL APPLICATION OF PARAQUAT (OR OTHER DESICCANT ACTIVITY PRODUCT) 10‐14 DAYS AFTER INITIAL TREATMENT WILL LIKELY BE

NECESSARY TO SUFFICIENTLY CONDITION CROP

CONDITIONING TREATMENT ONLY(Apply after daily heat units drop below 5, but 7 days before average first killing freeze date)

HEIGHT: Greater than 24 inches

YIELD: 1000+ lb/acre

LATEMATURING

114

FOOTNOTES FB=Followed by 1- Use on cotton with natural leaf shed. High rates can cause green, healthy leaves to stick. Always use a non-ionic surfactant when applying paraquat-based products (Gramoxone Inteon, Firestorm, Parazone). There is some concern for the single high dose rate on hairy-leaf cotton varieties. Poor leaf grades may be obtained. Make sure the cotton has 80% open bolls at application, use enough paraquat to completely kill all foliage, then stripper harvest only when leaves are dry enough to “crunch” when crushed by hand. Avoid stripper harvesting moist, dead leaves or high leaf grades may be encountered. 2-No more than 48 oz/acre total of Gramoxone Inteon or no more than 32 oz/acre total of Firestorm may be applied (in up to 3 multiple

applications) in one season based on the Texas Special Local Need 24c label. The need for and rate of Gramoxone Inteon or Firestorm in a second application will depend upon green leaves remaining. Use higher rates if regrowth is excessive. 3-No more than 32oz/acre total of Parazone may be applied (in up to 3 multiple applications) in one season based on the current label.

The need for and rate of Parazone in a second application will depend upon green leaves remaining. Use higher rates if regrowth is excessive. 4-Tankmix partners with Gramoxone Inteon, Firestorm, or Parazone can include sodium chlorate, Folex, Aim, Blizzard, ET, and

Resource. 5 -No more than: 3.2 oz/acre total of Aim 2EC, 1.25 oz/acre total of Blizzard, 5.5 oz/acre total (in no more than 2 applications) of ET, and

14 oz/acre (in no more than 2 applications with a maximum of 8 oz/acre per single application) of Resource may be applied during the growing season. 6 -Ethephon-based product (such as Finish 6 Pro, FirstPick, Prep, Super Boll, Boll’d, Boll Buster, and Setup) activity is determined by

rate and temperature. At lower temperatures, boll opening response can be enhanced by increasing rate.

Conversion Table for Gramoxone Inteon, and Firestorm and Parazone for Equivalent Paraquat Active Ingredient Rates

Paraquat (Active

Ingredient) Lb/Acre

GRAMOXONE INTEON (2 LB/GAL) FIRESTORM and PARAZONE (3

LB/GAL)

Product Oz / Acre Approximate

Acres/Gal Product Oz / Acre Approximate

Acres/Gal 0.0625 4 32 2.6 48 0.0938 6 21.3 4 32 0.1250 8 16 5.3 24 0.1563 10 12.8 6.7 19 0.1870 12 10.7 8 16 0.2500 16 8 10.7 12 0.3750 24 5.3 16 8 0.5000 32 4 21.3 6 0.7500 48 2.7 32 4

115

Brand Names and Similar Products

COMMONLY USED SIMILAR PRODUCT

Prep (ethephon, 6 lb/gal)

Boll'd (Agrisolutions)Boll Buster (Loveland Products)Ethephon‐6 (Arysta Lifescience)Flash (3 lb/gal, Helena)Setup 6SL (MANA)Super Boll (Nufarm)

Ginstar EC (thidiazuron + diuron)Adios (Arysta Lifescience)Cutout (Nufarm)Redi‐Pik 1.5EC (MANA)

Dropp SC (thidiazuron ‐ not normally used in the High Plains due to low termperature sensitivity)

Daze 4SC (Agrisolutions)FreeFall SC (Nufarm)Klean‐Pik (MANA)Take Down SC (Loveland Products)

Def (tribufos) ‐ Discontinued by Bayer CropScience Folex (Amvac)

116

Educational programs conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin. The information given herein is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by Texas AgriLife Extension is implied.

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