2008 Joint Annual Meeting (5-9 Oct. 2008): Analysis of New Plant Growth Regulators for Vegetative Growth Control on Cotton.

Plant growth regulators have been labeled for use in cotton for decades.  Despite their age PGR’s continue to have a relatively low acceptance rate among cotton growers when compared to other chemicals such as pesticides.  However, research shows when used appropriately, PGR’s consistently prove their value as a management tool in cotton.  Benefits of PGR use in cotton include:  reduced rank vegetative growth, compact and uniform growth, and uniform maturity, all of which allow for an easier harvest.  This two location study evaluates the performance of Stance and various other PGR’s.  Each location has an identical field using two different seed rates.  The cotton was planted at three and five seed per foot densities.  Both locations will be well watered.  One location is irrigated with sub-surface drip irrigation, while the other is on a pivot system.  Measurements will be taken throughout the experiment to monitor maturity, yield and quality.