Five Cotton Pre-Season Considerations for the Southeast

Spring has sprung. In the Southeast, green leaves, noticeably warmer weather, and the annual yellow haze of pollen hang in the air. But it also tells us that cotton planting season is right around the corner. Now that we are just a few weeks away from getting the crop started, here are a few considerations that may be helpful.

📸: @Alfio Manciagli via Canva/Featuring a wide angled shot of a beautiful cotton field.

1.) Variety Placement

Plant for Success: Choosing the Right Cotton Variety for Your Field 

There are several key things to consider about variety selection and placement. A variety’s yield potential and yield stability are two obvious factors to consider, but several other factors need to go into the equation as well. Does the variety have a maturity that fits the planting date? Are we trying to plant a full-season variety too late in the planting season, or are we planting a very short-season variety too soon? How aggressive is the plant structure? If we are planting a field that is a significant distance from home base and can’t guarantee timely PGR applications, maybe a less aggressive plant structure could be a better fit. Is the field infested with Root Knot Nematodes? A variety with RKN resistance may offer the best chance for high yields. Also, be sure to plant varieties with the herbicide tolerance traits you intend to use. No variety is a one-size-fits-all solution for every environmental condition, so be sure to plan your variety selection and placement around each field’s individual situation.

2.) Planter checklist

Planter Maintenance: Ensure a Smooth Cotton Planting Season 

The last thing anyone wants is an equipment breakdown during planting, and as the old saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Be sure to inspect and maintain any and all moving parts on the planter. Dr. Simir Virk, an Extension Specialist from the University of Georgia, has a great 12-point planter checklist that can be found here: 12-Point Checklist to Ensure Your Planter is Ready for the Field | UGA Precision Ag Extension

📸: @alffoto via Canva/Featuring a close up shot of cotton seed.

3.) Planting Date

Finding the Cotton Planting Sweet Spot: When to Plant for Optimal Results 

Planting season is a very exciting time for farmers and all of us involved in agriculture, but often times we are quick to jump the gun and put seed in the ground. Cotton seedlings are weak compared to many other row crops and are susceptible to injury or death from cool weather. The generally accepted earliest time to plant cotton is when soil temperatures are at least 65°, with weather forecasts showing a warming trend. North Carolina State University has a Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator that can be tailored to your precise location. This tool can be found here: Cotton Planting Conditions Calculator - Products | North Carolina State Climate Office (ncsu.edu).

One of the advantages we have in Southeastern cotton production is the length of our growing season. Our wide planting window allows us to stagger the planting of our crop, which in effect minimizes the total risk we have from extreme weather. There are different advantages and disadvantages to early and later planted crops. For example, early planted crops may avoid some of our late-season pest pressure, but many times they are more susceptible to seedling diseases early in the season, and boll rot later in the season from August and September rain patterns. Staggering the planting of the crop can also help alleviate some harvest timing issues, as most growers cannot harvest their entire crop at the same time.

4.) Early Season Pests

Early Season Threats: Managing Thrips in Cotton Seedlings

From an insect standpoint, thrips are generally our most important pest for cotton seedling. Thrips are almost always more of an issue on early planted cotton, and growers planting before May 10th should be prepared to potentially control thrips with something in addition to the seed treatment. These controls could be an in-furrow or over-the-top insecticide application. Cotton is generally safe from needing insecticidal control of thrips once it reaches the fourth true leaf growth stage.

📸: @max8xam via Canva/Featuring emerging cotton plants surrounded by weeds.

5.) Weed Control

Weed Control from the Start: Building a Solid Cotton Weed Management Strategy

Remember, it's easier to control weeds before they germinate than to try and clean up a messy field. Starting clean with a good burndown and pre-emerge application, followed by a layered residual program, is the foundation for a clean crop.

Get Local Cotton Production Support: Contact Your BASF Representative 

For more information on Stoneville^® Cotton Seed variety placement or any cotton production questions, please reach out to your local BASF representative. 

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