Cotton

Monitor Cotton Growth—Early Squaring

Plant monitoring (or mapping) provides a system to evaluate the growth and development of cotton plants throughout the season. You can use this information to fine tune management practices for the current crop stage. Many pest management decisions must be made at specific growth stages, and plant mapping helps you time them precisely. Plant measurements and calculations for making management decisions change as the plant develops.

Plant monitoring during early squaring focuses on plant vigor and square retention. Measure:

Plant height.
Total number of mainstem nodes.
The first position squares on the terminal 5 fruiting branches.

For more information about making these measurements and for recording forms, ask your local farm advisor. You can also check the UCCE Cotton Production Information site for details on how to apply monitoring information for:

Plant growth regulator applications
Lygus treatments
Irrigation decisions

Important links

Related Information

Integrated Pest Management for Cotton, 2nd edition, UC/ANR Publication 3305

For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. See How to manage pests, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. /PMG/C114/m114scmonctngrth.html revised: February 21, 2006. Contact webmaster.