We’re planting irrigated cotton fields this week. Topsoil is drying out even after a few inches of rain a week ago. UGA Extension Cotton Weed Specialist Dr. Stanley Culpepper was down putting in a small trial hoping to determine cause of herbicide injury in a field. This field has seen persistent injury where soil type could be a factor. We were also discussing the timing of our pre-emergence herbicides and getting the herbicides activated following planting. Here are steps from Dr. Culpepper to decrease herbicide injury.
Steps to minimize injury from PRE herbicides:
- Plant high vigor seed into moist soil (preplant irrigation often needed).
- Shallow planting depth increases injury potential.
- Apply proper residual herbicides withint 24 hours of planting.
- If feasible, irrigate between 30 hours after planting and prior to 24 hours before emergence, but then do not irrigate again until at least 5 days after emergence. irrigate to develop a perfect cotton stand; however, limit irrigation events during the first 2 weeks after planting to as few as possible after activiating residual herbicides.
Thomas County Ag 