Early Insect Control in Cotton, Greenlee County

Abstract

Cotton was treated at the pinhead square stage with Orthene to prevent boll shed caused by thrips and Lygus. Yield results showed no statistically significant differences, even though yield trends indicated a decrease in the treated plots compared to the check. Severe pressure from Heliothus later in the season and the yield trends would indicate that the insecticide treatment effect on the beneficial insects was more important than its effect on thrips and Lygus.