Check out this week’s update on cotton defoliation from Cotton Specialist, Camp Hand:
This week is going to be complicated with defoliation. Temps get high enough in the daytime to make us think certain chemistries may work, but the nighttime temps stay below 60 for the most part. Thank goodness we are still clear with respect to rain so we should still get good defoliation, just may take more time than we want (3 weeks instead of 2 in most cases).
The major consideration for the week is whether to include thidiazuron (Dropp/Freefall/Klean-pik/etc.) in the tank. Generally, when temps get below 65F, efficacy from this particular defoliation drops off severely. Removing thidiazuron from the tank generally changes what we do “leaf removal” wise as well – may take a higher rate of tribufos (Folex/Def) to remove juvenile leaves. This week is prime Ginstar/Cutout/Adios weather in my opinion. 8 oz/acre when cooler, closer to 6 oz/acre when warmer. I have seen this chemistry do very well in cooler conditions. The PPOs (ETX, Aim, Reviton, etc.) also perform well in cooler conditions.
Recipes for the week:
12 oz/acre tribufos (Folex/Def) (OR a PPO herbicide) +
42 oz/acre ethephon (Prep/Super Boll/Setup)
OR
6-8 oz/acre Ginstar/Cutout/Adios +
42 oz/acre ethephon (Prep/Super Boll/Setup)
