Overview of Cotton Agronomic
Research & Extension Program
Guy D. Collins, Ph.D.
Extension Cotton Agronomist
Variety selection criteria
What is your most limiting factor ???
• Water (soils, irrigation capacity, historical rainfall)
• Weed control (technology options for pigweed control)
• Plant growth (achieving optimal height, droughty soils,
PGRs)
• Diseases, nematodes, insects (leaf hairiness)
• Planting date, timeliness of inputs
• Realistic Yield Potential – field x field basis
Variety performance information…
• Official Variety Trials (OVT)
• UGA Uniform Cotton Variety Performance Evaluation
Program (County agents)
• Industry variety trials
• Growers with similar soils/practices
• Your own experience
UGA OnFarm Cotton
Variety Performance
Evaluation Program
2010 UGAUCVPEP Stability & Consistency (TOP 2)
1
2
3
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Combined
Average
4
5
6
7
8
DP 1050 458 421 484
581
705
716
673
924
915 1062 1045 1156 1131 1369 1324 1174 1209 1369 1533 1407 1585 1609 1628
1064
DP 1048 433 383 503
577
692
553
742
919
857
965 1014 1089 1171 1085 1156 1242 1324 1327 1482 1352 1426 1504 1713
1022
ST 5458 409 452 408
516
658
769
689
815
795 1038 956 1013 1189 1231 1169 1188 1323 1425 1325 1367 1526 1507 1553
1014
FM 1740 417 389 434
416
619
598
607
824
766
948 1036 1191 1049 1199 1211 1197 1248 1350 1455 1262 1474 1603
968
PHY 375 441 472 471
458
693
644
626
836
839 1064 940 1089 1094 1123 1131 1174 1147 1236 1276 1391 1315 1346 1434
967
PHY 565 405 352 462
504
636
694
601
811
864
787
909
923 1202 1073 1259 1204 1158 1292 1373 1261 1321 1466 1635
965
ST 4288 429 490 486
486
670
709
769
774
847
784
894 1099 956 1000 1110 1211 1163 1387 1195 1256 1388 1297 1481
951
DP 0949 391 452 448
500
512
610
641
761
820
878 1012 1094 1069 1165 1122 1107 1209 1390 1257 1304 1393 1255 1335
945
Loc.
423 426 462
Average
505
648
661
668
833
838
943
Variety
964
965 1062 1125 1137 1184 1189 1216 1334 1349 1349 1402 1432 1548
Collins & Whitaker, 2010
2011 UGAUCVPEP Stability & Consistency (TOP 1)
Variety
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Combined
Average
PHY 499
227
430
898
803
835
1012
917
1380
1344
1606
1714
1648
1773
1737
1713
1202
DP 1137
215
344
917
785
823
923
958
1295
1445
1626
1495
1599
1799
1774
1746
1183
DP 1050
228
310
821
792
821
945
927
1160
1369
1564
1529
1593
1775
1677
1733
1150
DP 1048
216
304
705
782
765
810
891
1261
1385
1542
1467
1530
1654
1698
1705
1114
ST 5458
163
371
699
743
743
940
1060
1185
1382
1399
1532
1541
1656
1607
1550
1105
FM 1740
147
305
635
726
715
975
928
1113
1428
1461
1585
1541
1507
1633
1626
1088
ST 4288
202
340
590
671
789
878
995
1188
1453
1367
1495
1437
1489
1568
1558
1068
PHY 375
189
316
729
700
608
820
850
1126
1431
1473
1479
1645
1516
1525
1536
1063
PHY 565
148
318
592
671
641
733
722
1000
1060
1191
1381
1465
1418
1467
1588
960
Loc.
Average
193
337
732
741
749
893
916
1190
1366
1470
1520
1555
1621
1632
1639
1104
Collins & Whitaker, 2011
2012 Roundup-Based On-Farm Trials (TOP 3)
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Combined
Average
DP 1252 B2RF 973 1250 1221 1329 1366 1457
1236
1485
1549
1436
1591
1850
1882
1926
1468
DP 1137 B2RF 759 1363 1201 1253 1389 1372
1396
1461
1400
1521
1486
1784
2080
1943
1458
DP 1050 B2RF 1120 1232 1215 1151 1326 1470
1340
1439
1490
1567
1482
1741
1858
1909
1453
PHY 499 WRF 1185 1013 1183 1601 1266 1291
1269
1404
1357
1398
1495
1682
1933
1843
1423
ST 5458 B2RF 1307 1043 1164 1151 1123
1114
1280
1291
1505
1431
1414
1559
1710
1723
1344
FM 1944 GLB2 1118 1048 1175 1012 1225
1195
1231
1269
1410
1390
1424
1550
1583
1873
1322
993
1375
1276
1221
1502
1371
1496
1647
1839
1288
Variety
FM 1740 B2F
1
2
3
4
5
965 1036 1104 1043 1163
6
AM 1511 B2RF 1184 911
1157 1333 1148
1198
963
1347
1284
1168
1440
1576
1584
1592
1277
PHY 565 WRF 905
968
1138 1072 1078
1160
1214
1259
1280
1312
1381
1400
1668
1743
1256
DP 0912 B2RF 965
761
1152 1151 1123
1256
1025
1254
1257
1083
1425
1548
1556
1597
1225
892
904
1212
1146
1030
1248
1303
1377
1633
1565
1179
1045 1057 1146 1206 1208 1219
1231
1330
1344
1369
1437
1597
1739
1778
PHY 375 WRF 1012 935
Loc.
Average
1173 1081
Collins & Whitaker, 2012
2012 Liberty-Based On-Farm Trials (TOP 2)
6
7
8
9
10
11
Combined
Average
1381 1274
1376
1319
1353
1578
1958
1714
1366
1039
1083 1372
1383
1303
1494
1650
1423
1682
1274
916
1132
1245 1169
1280
1281
1266
1435
1711
1541
1238
FM 1845 LLB2 651
830
1004
1080 1231
1187
1366
1318
1471
1322
1590
1186
ST 5445 LLB2 626
843
904
976
1047
1259
1115
1434
1611
1435
1653
1173
PHY 375 WRF 585
898
1041
1088 1096
1205
1243
1308
1271
1467
1460
1151
ST 4145 LLB2 670
787
836
1109
992
1074
1151
1141
1275
1186
1337
1051
Loc. Average
871
1033
1138 1169
1252
1254
1331
1470
1500
1568
2
3
PHY 499 WRF 798
995
1275
FM 1944 GLB2 759
829
PHY 565 WRF 635
Variety
1
675
4
5
Collins & Whitaker, 2012
Collins & Whitaker, 2012
2012 Cost of Improper Variety Selection (Roundup-based Trials)
Variety Selection
Error
Cotton Price
$ / lb.
Highest Cost
$/A
Lowest Cost
$/A
Average Cost
(14 Trials)
$/A
Top Variety
vs
Bottom Variety
$1
603
288
456
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Mid 4 Avg.
$1
274
43
162
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Bottom 3 Avg.
$1
394
160
298
Top Variety
vs
Bottom Variety
$ 0.75
452
216
342
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Mid 4 Avg.
$ 0.75
205
32
121
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Bottom 3 Avg.
$ 0.75
295
120
223
Collins & Whitaker, 2012
2012 Cost of Improper Variety Selection (Roundup-based Trials)
Variety Selection
Error
Cotton Price
$ / lb.
Highest Cost
$/A
Lowest Cost
$/A
Average Cost
(14 Trials)
$/A
Top Variety
vs
Bottom Variety
$1
603
288
456
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Mid 4 Avg.
$1 2012274
43
For
Acreage:
162
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Bottom 3 Avg.
$1
Top Variety
vs
Bottom Variety
$ 0.75
452
216
342
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Mid 4 Avg.
$ 0.75
205
32
121
Top 4 Avg.
vs
Bottom 3 Avg.
$ 0.75
295
120
223
394
160
298
$157,300,000 - $444,600,000
2010 GA County Variety Trials - Conventionals
Stability & Consistency
Collins & Whitaker, 2010
Irwin
Pierce
Colquitt
Combined
Average
GA 303
521
863
1085
823
GA 230
506
872
1004
794
All-Tex LA122
500
834
985
773
LA 1110035
507
841
941
763
DP 393
498
807
978
761
PHY 440W
532
915
831
759
LA 1110017
508
752
976
746
SSG Linwood
390
748
1086
741
Loc. Average
495
846
996
Variety
www.ugacotton.com
www.ugacotton.com
Bolls/A
1st Position Boll Distribution
Main-stem Node
1st Position Boll Production
(2011 - averaged over all locations)
18000
dp 1050
dp 1137
phy 499
16000
14000
Bolls / A
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
5
6
7
8
9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26
Main-stem Node
Height, main-stem nodes, lint yield and gin turnout affected by
PGR regime in Midville and Tifton.1
Height
PGR
Regime
Midville
Tifton
---- inches ----
Main-stem Nodes
Midville
Tifton
Lint Yield
Midville
Tifton
------- no. -------
------- lbs/A ------
Gin Turnout
Midville
Tifton
----- % -----
No PGR
55.4 a
48.4 a
22.1 a
19.4 a
1453 b
1970 a
40.3 a
42.0 a
PGR
40.7 b
39.9 b
20.4 b
18.7 b
1521 a
1710 b
39.6 b
40.6 b
1Means
within a column followed by same letter are not significantly different at P=0.1.
Tifton 2012 Lint Yield (lbs/A)
2500
2000
*
*
1500
1000
500
0
Non-Treated
Agg PGR
Sum of Plant Height (in)
Tifton & Midville 2012
50
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
*
*
*
*
Relative PGR Requirements of Cotton Varieties
(PGR REQUIRMENTS VARY – use only as guide)
Classification
Varieties
PGR Recommendations
1
Varieties with the most
vegetative growth potential,
require intensive PGR
management
2
Varieties with similar growth
potential of 1st class, yet
more responsive to PGRs
or earlier in maturity
PHY 565 WRF ST 4145 LLB2
Applications – MULTIPLE, MOST CASES
Initiation – Squaring to 1st Bloom
Product - 1st application - Stance or MC
- Sequential app. – MC only
3
Varieties may require
PGRs, but pre-bloom
initiation not typically
necessary, could result in
premature cutout, esp. in
dryland conditions
AM 1511 B2RF DP 0912 B2RF
PHY 375 WRF FM 1773 B2RF
DP 1133 B2RF ST 5458 B2RF
Applications – ONE to MULTIPLE
Initiation - Bloom initiation likely sufficient
Product - 1st app. (Stance or MC, low rates)
- seq. applications - Stance or MC
4
Varieties that may need no
PGR applications, or
almost always not applied
prior to bloom
FM 1740 B2RF FM 1944 B2RF
FM 1845 LLB2 ST 4288 B2RF
Application – NONE to ONE
Initiation - Bloom initiation almost always
Product – Stance or MC (rates)
DP 0949 B2RF DP 1048 B2RF
DP 1050 B2RF DP 1137 B2RF
DP 1252 B2RF PHY 499 WRF
Applications - MULTIPLE
Initiation - PRIOR TO BLOOM
Product – MC (all applications, rates vary)
UGA Irrigation Recs
Weekly Water Requirements (inches per week)
First Bloom
SSDI & OVHD Irrigation Research
Sensor-Based Treatments
• Watermark moisture potential sensors
100% UGA Checkbook
65% UGA Checkbook
Treatments
Cm/day
Cm
Cm/day
Cm Per
Growth Stage
(1/3 weekly rate)
Per
(1/3 weekly rate)
Week
• Checkbook method-UGA
determination
for water
Applied on M,
W, F Week Applied
on M, W, F
requirements:
Prior to Bloom
2.54
0.85
1.65
0.55
1st week of bloom
2.54
0.85
1.65
0.55
2nd week of bloom
3.81
1.27
2.48
0.83
3rd week of bloom
5.08
1.69
3.30
1.10
4th week of bloom
5.08
1.69
3.30
1.10
5th week of bloom
3.81
1.27
2.48
0.83
6th week of bloom
3.81
1.27
2.48
0.83
7th weed of bloom
2.54
0.85
1.65
0.55
8th week of bloom
2.54
0.85
1.65
0.55
END OF BLOOM
and afterwards
1.91
0.64
1.22
0.41
Lint Yield: Deep vs Shallow
SDI*
B
C
C
AB
AB
AB
C
D
p < 0.1
*Data
pooled over locations & varieties
AB
AB
A
Lint Yield: SDI Depth by
Trigger*
B
C
C
AB
AB
AB
C
D
p < 0.1
*Data
pooled over locations & varieties
AB
AB
A
Lint Yield – Variety * Irrigation Treatment
(averaged across locations)
B
E
C
A
C
C
D
E
• FM 1740 > DP 1050 = 40 cb, 70 cb, and 100%
• FM 1740 = DP 1050 = dryland, 65% UGA recs.
C C
Total Water (Irr & Rain)
Prebloom Irrigation
FM 1944 GLB2
DP 0912 B2RF
Prebloom Irrigation
DP 1050 B2RF
PHY 499 WRF
Final Plant Height*
A
A
B
cm
B
DP
FM
BC
C
C
D
No
ST
ST
ST
MC
MC
PGR
2
3
4
8
12
555 1740
p = 0.0669
*Data pooled over locations
and PGR trt
p = < 0.0001
*Data
pooled over locations
and variety
Final Plant Height*
cm
A
B
B
BC
CDE
DEF
CDE
EFG
p = 0.0757
*Data pooled over locations
BCD
FG
DEF
G
Final Plant Height*
cm
p = 0.0757
*Data pooled over locations
Lint Yield DP 555 BR*
kg/ha
*
*
*
*
p = 0.1590
*Data pooled over locations
*
*
Lint Yield FM 1740 B2F*
kg/ha
*
*
*
p = 0.1590
*Data
pooled over locations
DP 1050 B2RF
Mepex 8 oz/A
@ 9-10 leaves
Mepex 12 oz/A
@ 9-10 leaves
FM 1740 B2F
DP 1050 B2RF
Stance 2 oz/A
@ 9-10 leaves
Stance 3 oz/A
@ 9-10 leaves
FM 1740 B2F
Plant Height (inches)
12oz/A 9lf - 12 oz/A EB - 16 oz/A EB+2wk
12 oz/A EB - 16 oz/A EB+2wk
16 oz/A EB+2wk
No PGR
60
50
de
abc
gh
40
a
cdebcd
ab
bcd abc
ef de
fg
gh
h
i
i
DP 0912 B2RF
FM 1740 B2F
30
20
10
0
DP 555 BR
DP 0949 B2RF
Plant Height (inches)
12oz/A 9lf - 12 oz/A EB - 16 oz/A EB+2wk
12 oz/A EB - 16 oz/A EB+2wk
16 oz/A EB+2wk
No PGR
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
DP 555 BR
DP 0949 B2RF
DP 0912 B2RF
FM 1740 B2F
Avoid yield-limiting PGR applications
2,4-D Drift
Leaf and bract characteristics of varieties from Georgia trials
in 2012.
Variety
Leaf
Bract
Company
Leaf Area Bract Area
Trichomes Trichomes
Leaf Grade
Rating
(cm²)
(cm²)
(cm-2)
(cm-1)
PHY 499WRF
SemiSmooth
585.2 a†
52.2 a
129.6 a
9.56 a
3.50
ST 5458B2RF
Hairy
286.4 b
37.5 bc
117.5
7.98 b
3.25
PHY 367WRF
SemiSmooth
267.7 b
39.1 b
121.4 b
7.45 bc
3.25
DP 1044B2RF
SemiSmooth
235.8 b
33.1 c
121.5 b
6.90 c
3.75
FM 1740B2F
Smooth
38.3 c
39.8 b
121.4 b
7.96 b
3.00
P>F
<0.01
<0.01
0.02
<0.01
NS
%CV
51.3
25.6
13.1
16.6
35.5
1.0
8
0.8
0.6
DP0912B2RF
DP0949B2RF
DP104B2RF
DP1050B2RF
FM1740B2RF
PHY375WRF
PHY755WRF
0.4
0.2
Nodes Above
White Flower
Accumulated Fraction
of Total Harvestable Bolls
Universal Quantification of Maturity
8
10
12
14
16
1st Position Fruiting Node and
associated 2nd and 3rd Position Fruit
DP 0912
DP 0949
DP 104
DP 1050
FM 1740
PHY 375
PHY 755
4
2
0.0
6
6
18
0
50
60
70
80
Days After Planting
90
100
Lint Yield
LSD = 187
1 Application
2 Applications
Lint to Seed ratio (%)
Variety LSD (0.05) = 60
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