Nitrogen Rate Management with Cotton Growth Regulation for Cotton in a Cotton/Corn Production System

Plant growth regulators have been proposed for use in cotton production for many years with mixed results.  Increasing nitrogen (N) rates above recommended levels can lead to increased vegetative growth without increasing lint production.  Plant growth regulators such as mepiquat pentaborate have been used successfully under some conditions to significantly increase lint yields.  Timing of the applications are critical for increased yields.  Applications initiated too late in the growing sasson have led to significant yield loss.  This presentation will summarize five years of research conducted in the Mississippi Delta with increased N rates and PGR application for cotton following corn in rotation.