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Title: EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT HERBICIDES, THEIR RATES, AND TIMINGS TO TERMINATE COTTON STALKS

Author
item Greenberg, Shoil
item NORMAN, J - TX COOP EXT
item SPARKS, A - TX COOP EXT
item Bradford, Joe
item YANG, C - TEXAS A&M UNIV
item STICHLER, C - TX COOP EXT
item Coleman, Randy
item Showler, Allan

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2005
Publication Date: 6/28/2005
Citation: Greenberg, S.M., Norman, J.W., Sparks, A.N., Bradford, J.M., Yang, C., Stichler, C., Coleman, R.J., Showler, A. 2005. Effects of different herbicides, their rates, and timings to terminate cotton stalks. In: Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 4-7, 2005, New Orleans, Louisiana. 2005 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: Cotton stalk destruction is an important strategy for reduction of overwintering boll weevil populations by eliminating the habitat and food available to the insect in regions where rainfall and warmer temperatures prolong fall cotton growth. Plowing or burning cotton stalks was one of the initial and most significant recommendations for control of the boll weevil, but mechanical operations for stalk destruction can be easily disrupted by adverse soil or weather conditions and are contrary to conservation tillage which cotton producers increasingly have adopted in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Alternative stalk control methods are needed for both shredded and standing stalks. Several herbicides were tested in the reported trial and 2,4-D Amine applied twice was found to be 100% effective in killing stalks. These findings will lead to improved effectiveness and economics of control of overwintered boll weevils, and successful expansion of boll weevil eradication programs into subtropical and tropical environments.

Technical Abstract: Cotton stalk destruction is a prime tool in management of several species of cotton pests in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Mechanical methods of stalk destruction are generally successful, but some stalks may survive these operations. Moreover, adverse weather conditions and conservation tillage may often impede immediate and complete stalk destruction using typical tool implements. These studies provide an examination of different herbicides (thidiazuron [Harmony Extra]; dicamba diglycolamine salt [Clarity]; 2,4-D Amine [Savage]; flumioxazin [Valor]; and Aim), rates, spray volumes, and application timings on shredded and standing cotton stalks after stripper and picker harvest. 2,4-D Amine applied at one pound of formulated product in 10.0 gallons of water per acre provided 100% control of cotton stalks when applied immediately after harvest or shredding and followed by a second application at 14 or 21 days.