Survey of Cotton Weeds and Weed Control Practice in Arizona Upland Cotton Fields

Abstract

The distribution of weed species and the herbicides and cultural practices used to control weeds in Arizona cotton fields were surveyed in 1995 and 1996. The most common weeds were purple nutsedge, bermudagrass, annual morningglory, Palmer amarnath, Wright groundcherry, common purselane, yellow nutsedge and Johnsongrass. The average statewide cost for hand weeding in 1995 was reported as $27.87 per acre in addition to other weed control costs. Statewide, most growers used preemergence herbicides before or at planting and used pre- and post-emergence herbicides later in the season. Most of these applications were broadcast applications suggesting that many of the postemergence herbicide applications were layby applications. Preemergence herbicides (usually applied preplant incorporated) such as Treflan, Prowl, and Prometryn were more commonly used than postemergence herbicides. Statewide, few growers banded preemergence herbicides or used electro- hydraulic quick-hitch guidance systems and in-row weeding tools with their cultivators.