Farms.com Home   News

When To Stop Cotton Irrigation

By Ronnie Barentine

About this time each year I begin to get questions on when to stop irrigating cotton.  Through the years I have recommended that growers evaluate the field when bolls begin to crack.  If there is good soil moisture at this time, then this is a good time to stop.  If not I would suggest one last irrigation to help finish the crop out.  I would not push irrigation past 10% open boll or you will begin to chance the start of hard lock and boll rot.

The UGA Cotton Irrigation Scheduling chart suggest that once you get to the 7th week of bloom, start backing off to 1 inch or less per week and consider stopping shortly after.

I did see one exception to this several years back when we were growing DP 555 and we had a small bottom crop and a very heavy top crop, and temperatures at 100 degrees.  In that case, it was wise to continue irrigating past 10% open bolls.  I would evaluate the bottom crop, top crop load, and weather forecast to determine the high temperatures if considering going past 10% open boll.

Source:uga.edu


Trending Video

Canadian Seed Policy Modernization: An Interview With Lauren Comin of Seeds Canada

Video: Canadian Seed Policy Modernization: An Interview With Lauren Comin of Seeds Canada

Seeds Canada’s Lauren Comin says agriculture is at a crossroads — and the seed sector has a rare chance to push bold reforms. Her message: farmers don’t need buzzwords, they need faster, cheaper access to innovation, and the window to act is now. Policy doesn't have to be boring. In this far-reaching conversation, Lauren Comin, Director of Policy at Seeds Canada, talks innovation, transformation, and what to expect from regulatory policy in the coming year. Full interview available on SW360. Policy is at the heart of the industry, and Lauren Comin, Director of Policy at Seeds Canada, is on the forefront. Hear her thoughts on current trends, how she’s pushing for innovation, and why the seed industry is at a crossroads in this far-reaching interview