Blizzard Harvest Aid as a Desiccant for Cotton in Proximity to Small Grains in the Texas High Plains

Cotton harvest aid programs in the Texas High Plains generally consist of an initial application of a boll opener/defoliant tank mix followed by a sequential application of a desiccant to terminate the crop for stripper harvesting. Generally, paraquat based chemicals are utilized as the sequential application. However, producers may look to other desiccants when terminating cotton in close proximity to winter wheat. Previous research has indicated that Blizzard can be utilized as an effective sequential desiccant in the Texas High Plains. In 2008, research was continued to determine the efficacy of Blizzard as a desiccant applied at various rates to cotton under differing environmental conditions. In addition to the research conducted on stripper harvested cotton, trials were initiated to determine potential phytotoxicity of Blizzard when applied to winter wheat. Varying rates were applied to cotton for defoliation/desiccation and regrowth control and to wheat at various stages of growth. Results from this research will provide important information to producers when selecting cotton harvest aids for applications in close proximity to winter wheat.