Robert Goodson1 , T. Barber2, B. McClelland3

1County Extension Agent, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Phillips County, Helena AR, 72342 2Cotton Agronomist, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Little Rock AR, 72204 3State Cotton Verification Coordinator, Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service, Keiser AR 72351

ABSTRACT

The cotton research verification program is an interdisciplinary effort in which

recommended best management practices and production technologies are applied in a

timely manner. Objectives of the program are: (1) conduct on farm field trials to

verify researched based recommendations with the interest of increasing profit, (2)

educate producers on timely management decisions, (3) Aid researchers in identifying

area that need additional inquiry and (4) to aid Extension personnel to learn more about

all aspects of cotton production. In cooperation with producers in both counties, it was

decided to plant a conventional (non-transgenic) variety in Phillips County and in Lee

County cotton was planted double crop behind wheat. The two issues in Phillips

County was being able to grow non roundup ready cotton when all the surrounding

crops were and could the lepidopteron pests be controlled on a non Bt cotton variety

The issue in Lee County was would there be enough time to produce an economical

cotton crop planting so late in the growing season. Success was measured on how each

crop fared economically. Due to poor stand and possibly glyphosate drift the Phillips

County project lost $3.79 an acre. A success on the field was that the lepidopteron pest

can be controlled with new insecticides on the market. In Lee County production cost

were kept low and due to a higher market price the program profited $415 an acre. The

program was able to show the advantages and disadvantages of each production system

to all local producers.

United States Department of Agriculture, University of Arkansas, and County Governments Cooperating

The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race,

color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally

protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Lee County Verification field was a project to

verify that cotton could be double cropped

after wheat harvest in early June

Phillips County Verification field was a project

to verify that conventional (non Bt and non

roundup ready) could be grown in a transgenic

cotton growing area

Cotton Verification Program Objectives

Late season

Lygus

(tarnished plant

bug) control

was vital in

producing June

planted cotton

in Arkansas

Due to height

of wheat

stubble early

plant growth in

double crop

cotton was tall

and spindly

Results

Problem

Purpose

Problem

Methods

Double Crop Wheat & Cotton 1. When planting cotton behind wheat, stubble

should be cut short to prevent spindly plants early in the season.

2. Weed control and irrigation is easier due to wheat stubble .

3. Cotton can be planted behind wheat successfully as long as inputs are kept low

Conventional Cotton 1. Seed quality is important in cotton production

whether conventional or transgenic 2. Pest management in conventional cotton is

possible with current herbicides and insecticides 3. Glyphosate drift in conventional cotton is an issue

that must be control led. If not there will be excessive yield loss.

LEE AND PHILLIPS COUNTY ARKANSAS

COTTON VERIFICATION PROGRAM

1. Conduct on farm field trials to verify

researched based recommendations

with the interest of increasing profit

2. 2. Educate producers on timely

management decisions

3. Aid researchers in identifying areas

that need additional inquiry

4. Aid local Extension personnel to learn

more about all aspects of cotton

production

Problem

Low seed

quality of new

conventional

cotton,

proved to be a

rough start

for the crop

Possible Glyphosate drift

was on possible solution

to low yield in

conventional cotton

Yield Results

Double Crop Wheat Cotton

697 lbs lint/acre

Conventional Cotton

545 lbs lint/acre