The information contained in this booklet was assembled for distribution at the 2004 Cotton Field Day (September 21) at the Shafter Research & Extension Center. The following items are included for your information:
Archives
Cotton Field Day 9-21-1999
The information contained in this booklet was assembled for distribution at the 1999 Cotton Field Day (September 21) at the Shafter Research & Extension Center. The following items are included for your information:
- Summaries of approved 1999 Research Projects, including those featured at the Cotton Field Day. The phone numbers, addresses, and e-mail addresses of the researchers are included where available, should you require more information.
UC RIVERSIDE BLACKEYE IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM
Blackeyes are a well-adapted and generally profitable rotation crop for many cotton growers in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Nematode resistant blackeye varieties help reduce soil levels of Meloidogyne incognita root-knot nematodes and increase soil fertility for the benefit of succeeding cotton crops. Improved varieties are needed for the California blackeye industry to remain competitive with other producing areas such as the High Plains of Texas…
SJV COTTON BOARD ACALA, PIMA AND UPLAND TESTING PROGRAM- 1998
The unprecedented weather conditions of 1998 dominated the season. With abnormally cold temperatures both in the spring and in the fall, the most abbreviated growing season ever experienced took a heavy toll on production. Even with a full month delay in harvest, many bolls failed to open – a result of too few heat units to mature the late set. In these tests average yields of all carry-over entries were more than a bale an acre below that of the same variety the year before. In general, quality was not detrimentally affected, but because of the exceptionally adverse conditions varietal relationships, especially as it relates to yield, are not necessarily what might be expected in a more normal year…
MANAGEMENT OF KEY COTTON ARTHROPOD PESTS WITH INSECTICIDES AND ACARICIDES
Introduction:
Integrated pest management is an accepted tool in dealing with cotton pests. Insecticidal control of the key cotton arthropod pests in California is a major component ofour cotton IPM programs. Are insecticides the only answer and a long-term solution? No, for several reasons. First, insecticides must be compatible with biological control; this natural control is very important in California cotton. Studies should be conducted…
LONG-TERM NITROGEN MANAGEMENT TRIALS
The response o f Acala cotton in California to a range o f applied nitrogen treatments are under investigation in a multi-year, multi-site experiment. Goals of the experiment are to identify crop growth and yield responses to applied nitrogen and to provide information to better assess the utility of soil residual N estimates in improving fertilizer management. Results obtainedd uring the first three years o f this project have shown positive responses to increases in applied N across the 50 to 200 lbs N/acre range…
INTERACTION OF COTTON NITROGEN FERTILITY PRACTICES AND COTTON APHID POPULATION DYNAMICS IN CALIFORNIA COTTON
Introduction:
During the last 10 years, the cotton aphid (Aphis gossypii) has developed from a non-pest to one of the most significant insect pests of California cotton. For instance,in1997, cotton aphid outbreaks were severe and an estimated 3.5% yield loss occurred despite -$40/acre control costs which were incurred. Cotton aphid infestations during the mid-season (July to mid-August) reduce cotton lint yields since the aphids act as a significant sink, competing with the bolls, for energy. The late-season infestations (mid-Aug.to Sept.) are problematic because the aphids deposit honeydew on the exposed cotton lint, which reduces the lint value. Reasons for this change in pest status of cotton aphid are unclear; however, one of the most noticeable changes in cotton production over the last 10 years is the use of a plant growth regulator instead of irrigation and nitrogen deficits to limit early-season cotton vegetative growth. This has allowed cotton production practices in the SJV to evolve to higher nitrogen fertilization and irrigation inputs.
ECOLOGY OF GENERALIST PREDATORS IN THE COTTON AGROECOSYSTEM
The goals of our research are to examine the role that naturally-occurring predators play in controlling spider mites and determine if predatory mite releases can improve spider mite control. During 1996 & 1997, we performed large-scale releases of the western predatory mite using low release rates and found that releases did not increase predatory mite numbers and did not improve spider mite control. Thus,we have attempted to identify factors that could be limiting predatory mites in hope that we can improve spider mite biological control. During 1998 & 1999, we completed four experiments…