Physiology of Cotton Defoliation

Abstract

This bulletin deals with the physiology of cotton defoliation and attempts to describe what conditions must exist inside the plant in order for defoliation to occur. It is important to understand the basic physiological processes involved in order for best crop management practices to accomplish a successful defoliation. The objectives of defoliating a cotton crop can be simply stated as: 1) to remove leaves to facilitate mechanical picking, 2) to maintain the quality of the lint, and 3) to complete defoliation with a single application of chemicals.