What is in this article?:
- Producers battling volunteer cotton in corn, sorghum fields
- Research trials
- Control costs
- Dry fall aggravates problem
- Control strategies studied
- Essential for Boll weevil program
More About:
Some Texas grain producers expect Roundup-resistant volunteer cotton to pop up in corn and sorghum fields this coming season due to a dry fall and winter, according to a Texas AgriLife Extension Service expert.
"We are facing a similar situation to the 2009 season, when volunteer cotton was a problem in corn," said Dr. Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension cotton specialist. "Volunteer cotton in non-cotton fields is especially important to producers in South and Central Texas who are actively involved in the Boll Weevil Eradication program."
Though a problem, Morgan said it's important for producers not to get discouraged and treat volunteer cotton during the early stages. If left until later, treatment options begin to be limited.
"We've found only four products that were effective at the five-to six-leaf stage," he said.
Attendees at the recent Texas Plant Protection Association Conference heard the latest research efforts led by the AgriLife Extension team of Danny Fromme, Morgan, Matt Matocha, Paul Baumann and Dale Mott.
