About Us
County Impact Statements - Jefferson County
Defoliation Study Shows New Products for the 2003 Termination of
Cotton
Unusual growing conditions and late development of many crops
caused concern for Jefferson County cotton growers in regard to defoliation
approaches for late crops.
A six-treatment defoliation study was implemented to show the
effects of new products and timings versus known products that have worked well
for a number of years.
Observations by the farm worker who applied products was that
all treatments that had Aim in the first pass had "smoked" the morning glories
in those treatments, but not much else was different. Because of temperature
concerns relating to degree day 60's (DD60), a modification of ethephon rates
was made for second pass treatments so that more product was applied than in
first pass treatments.
A harvest delay caused by rainfall events that altered harvest
sequence allowed all treatments to be as open as feasible. The cooperator stated
after harvest that "there is nothing left to go after." The demonstration was
planned so there would be no need for a second pick operation, so the
demonstration was deemed a success.
There were 55 bales of white grade 31 and 15 bales classed as
white grade 41 for the demonstration. No bales were docked for leaf grade. The
results for staple length 34 was 15 bales, 35 was 46 bales and 36 was 9 bales
and a miconaire 5-5.2 (24 bales) 4.3-4.9 ( 46 bales). Strength was acceptable
for all but three bales.
|
A well planned defoliation aids in harvest efficiency and improved grades. |
Impacts
- A new herbicide-defoliant was displayed in a Jefferson County
defoliation study for 2003. One local company sold the product this fall.
- One somewhat new herbicide-defoliant was used in the first pass;
Extension weed scientists prefer timing this product in the second pass.
- A delay in harvest allowed all products to work well because high rates
of ethephon were used in the second pass.
- Knowing to wait until all bolls are open after using ethephon products
at recommended rates is difficult. Knowing when to adjust rates of ethephon
upward may result in increased boll opening and faster harvest. This
demonstration showed the value of waiting and of using higher rates of
ethephon product.
|
