Use of Pre-Emergent Herbicide Enhances the Effects of Advanced Herbicide Technologies

Advanced herbicide technologies of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars reduced pressure of weed control for cotton producers. However, these technologies are not the silver bullet and use of pre-emergence herbicide needs to be emphasized in combination with the advanced herbicide technologies for achieving high lint yield and net return. The objective of this study is to examine the advanced herbicide technologies in system approaches to determine the most profitable system throughout growing season within each advanced technology. The study was planted at Texas A&M AgriLife Research Station at Chillicothe, TX on May 10, 2018. The study was designed as a randomized complete block design with three replications. Plot size was four rows by 50 ft with 50 ft buffers between technologies. Three herbicide technology traits utilized for this study were Xtendflex (NG4689B2XF), Enlist (PHY440W3FE), and Glytol/Liberty link (ST5122GLT) cotton cultivars. Target weed species were morning glory [Ipomoea purpurea (L.) Roth.] and Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri). Treatments included combinations among 1) with or without pre-emergent herbicide, 2) with or without early post application, 3) with or without late post application, 4) with or without herbicide application with hooded sprayer, and 5) no herbicide application as an untreated check. In-season measurements on weed control (%), lint yield, fiber quality, and preliminary net return will be reported.