Controlling Volunteer Cotton with Postemergence Herbicides

Field studies were conducted with POST herbicides applied to Roundup-Ready cotton at different growth stages to determine options for controlling volunteer cotton.  Volunteer cotton can be a bigger problem than a nuisance weed and left untreated, cotton stalks can become an ideal haven for boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis L.) reproduction.  Cotton was easier to control when small (cotyledon to 4-leaf stage) than taller (8-12 leaf stage).  In the Texas High Plains, Buctril, Ignite, ET, and Aim resulted in 90% or greater control  when rated 28 days after treatment (DAT).  If  herbicide applications were delayed until cotton was taller, cotton control decreased drastically.  In south Texas, similar results were seen with the above mentioned herbicides.  Additionally, Gramoxone Inteon and Chaparral provided greater than 90% control when applied to small cotton.