It\u2019s that time of year again. The smell of Folex is in the air and I am starting to get THE question: \u201cCamp, what\u2019s the recipe for the week??\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my travels across the state, there are a good many fields that are ready to defoliate. Of course, in the latest rendition of the Cotton Team Newsletter, there is a section on defoliation timing. Also keep in mind Percent Open Boll and Nodes Above Cracked Boll (NACB).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the next week we are looking at a different temperature pattern than we normally see. Up to now people have been using 6-8 oz\/acre of Folex in the tank, but with it cooling down towards Friday we may need to be looking at up to 10 oz\/acre in some cases. In the North part of Georgia (thinking Morgan, Chattooga, Bartow counties), I might be thinking Ginstar + Prep (8 + 42 oz\/acre, respectively).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One other thing to keep an eye on is rainfall. On Wednesday and Thursday it looks like there are chances for showers (less than 50%, but could still happen!). Rainfree periods this time of year are a big deal, particularly when one of our most used defoliants (Dropp\/Freefall\/Klean-pik, active ingredient Thidiazuron) has a rainfree period of 24 hrs. Fortunately it is rarely applied alone, so we can likely operate on a 12 hr rainfree period. Rainfree periods on other common defoliants for GA growers are listed in the PDF attached to this email, which is a good \u201cone pager\u201d for all things defoliation. Looks like by Friday and into the weekend it should be clear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Temps this week will drop by Friday, meaning higher rates. According to the rate table included in the newsletter, we need to be around 3-4 oz Dropp (Thidiazuron), 8-10 oz Folex (Tribufos), and 32-42 oz Prep (Ethephon) for South Georgia. Use higher rates of Dropp where there is significant regrowth or risk of regrowth. Higher rates of Folex and Prep on cooler days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you decide to use a PPO inhibiting herbicide in your defoliant mix (Aim, ET, etc.), please be sure to study the rates beginning on page 143 of the\u00a0Cotton Production Guide<\/a>. Generally we like lower rates in higher temperatures. If you decide to use a PPO, take Folex out of the tank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n