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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Florence, South Carolina » Coastal Plain Soil, Water and Plant Conservation Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #69985
Title: EFFECTS OF EARLY SEASON LOSS OF FLOWER BUDS ON YIELD, QUALITY, AND MATURITYOF COTTON IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Author
item MANN, J - CLEMSON UNIV
item TURNIPSEED, S - CLEMSON UNIV
item SULLIVAN, M - CLEMSON UNIV
item DURANT, J - CLEMSON UNIV
item ADLER, P - CLEMSON UNIV
item May Iii, Oscar

Submitted to: Journal of Economic Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/27/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Sustainable cotton production systems will emphasize the use of fewer pesticides for insect control. This research documents studies aimed at reducing the number of insecticide applications needed for profitable cotton production. Cotton normally initiates flower buds in June, which may be consumed by the tobacco budworm unless insecticides are applied for control. Because cotton produces flower buds over a several month period, it is not well documented that flower buds produced in June must be protected from loss due to insect feeding to avoid a yield reduction. Cotton lint yields from plots receiving insecticide for tobacco budworm control in June did not differ from similar plots that received no insecticide. Additionally, lint yields from plots incurring early-season manual flower bud removal did not differ from control plots. These data indicate that insecticide use can be reduced in cotton production by eliminating June applications for control of tobacco budworm.

Technical Abstract: The effect of early season flower bud damage caused primarily by Heliothis virescens (F.) on cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was determined at Florence and Blackville, SC, from 1989 to 1994. From 1989 to 1991 using the varieties 'Coker 315' and 'DP 90', yields from plots treated for H. virescens during June were compared with plots untreated during June. In addition, early-season flower bud loss was simulated by hand removal of 10-100% of flower buds for 1-4 consecutive wk from 1992 to 1994. No significant differences in yield between treated and untreated plots were observed from 1989 to 1991. Lint yield was reduced by manual flower bud removal for only a single cultivar and year. Otherwise, lint yield and fiber quality were not impacted by manual flower bud removal. These data suggest that cotton can compensate for the loss of June flower buds and that insecticides for H. virescens control in June are not needed.