Methanol, Cytokin, Cytoplex, PGR IV and Foli-Zyme plant growth regulators were tested on long and short staple cotton on the Safford Agricultural Center in 1995. It was a follow up study on Methanol, Cytokin and PGR IV and a first time look at Cytoplex and Foli-Zyme. Trends toward increased lint yield were seen with Cytokin and Cytoplex with the other treatments yielding near or below the untreated check Some increase in maturity was seen on the short staple plots by all of the treatments. Some differences in HVI data were also observed.

Cotton crop response was evaluated using the growth regulator FIX in a conventional liquid formulation compared to an equivalent rate of a newly developed dry flowable (DF) formulation. The DF formulation will be available in 1996 in water soluble packets with each 57 gram packet the equivalent of one pint liquid PIX. Both formulations regulated plant height and height:node ratios equally.

Summaries of cotton crop phenology, as a function of heat units (HU, 86/55°F limits) have been developed across a wide range of production conditions in Arizona. Basic phenological events such as the occurrence of pinhead squares, squares susceptible to pink bollworm, and first bloom are described in terms of HU accumulations since planting (HUAP). Fruit retention guidelines and height: node ratios, which measure a crop's vegetative /reproductive balance, are developed as a function of HUAP. Similarly, the rate of canopy closure is described in terms of HUAP. The use of the number of nodes above the top white bloom to the terminal (NAWB) is developed as a measure of a crops progression towards cut-out. Also, the expected ranges of HU's accumulated since planting that are required to accomplish crop cut-out are shown for Upland and Pima cotton.

Twelve defoliation treatments were applied to Pima and upland cotton to compare the treatment effects on percent defoliation of the plants, percent first pick values, percent gin trash and any effects they might have on fiber qualities. All of the treatments were beneficial compared to the untreated check, but differences between treatments were small.

Field studies were conducted on upland cotton at the Maricopa Agricultural Center to evaluate the effectiveness of Accelerate when used in combination with other defoliants. In a September test, good defoliation was obtained in seven days using Ginstar or Dropp + Def + Accelerate and in 14 days using Accelerate + Prep. In October, under cooler conditions, no treatment provided acceptable defoliation in 14 days. In both tests, Ginstar used alone resulted in higher leaf drop percentages than Ginstar + Accelerate.

A single field study was conducted in 1995 at the Maricopa Agricultural Center (1100 ft. elevation) to evaluate the effects of three dates of irrigation termination on yield a common Upland cotton variety (DPL 5415). Planting date was 3 April (469 HU /Jan 1 86/55° F thresholds). Following difficult establishment, crop vigor was generally low all season, with a relatively strong level of fruit retention. Three dates of irrigation termination an -1T3) were imposed based upon crop development into cut -out, with IT1 (21 August) set such that bolls set at the end of the first fruiting cycle would not be water stressed and could be fully matured. The third termination (IT3) date was 22 September, which was staged so that soil moisture would be sufficient for development of bolls set up through the first week of September. The second irrigation termination (IT2, 1 September) was intermediate to IT1 and IT3. Lint yield results revealed a 139 lb. lint/acre difference between IT1 and IT3, which was statistically significant (P < 0.05).

Arizona Cooperative Extension generates and distributes weather -based Planting Date and Cotton Development Advisories for 14 cotton production areas (Marana, Laveen, Paloma, Litchfield Pk., Pinal Co., Parker, Mohave Valley, Queen Creek, Safford, Yuma Valley, Aguila, Cochise Co., Greenlee Co. and Harquahala). Planting Date Advisories are distributed from mid -February through the end of April and stress 1) planting cotton varieties according to heat unit accumulations rather than calendar date and 2) the importance of soil temperature to good germination. Cotton Development Advisories are distributed from early May through mid - September and provide updates on crop development, insects, weather and agronomy. The Cotton Advisory Program will continue in 1996 and growers may obtain advisories by mail or fax from the local county extension office, and by computer from AZMET or the University of Arizona College of Agriculture World Wide Web Page. Major program changes planned for 1996 include 1) adjusting the Crop Development Advisories to reflect the revised legal first planting dates in low elevation production areas and 2) the addition of an advisory for Harquahala.

The 1995 cotton season proved to be one of the most challenging in marry years. Cold, dry spring weather delayed planting and forced many growers to replant a significant portion of their crop. The late crop then ran into extreme summer heat in July and August and very high August humidity. Daytime temperatures in excess of 120°F were reported in the low deserts in July and many locations reported extended periods with daytime temperatures above 1107. Poor fruit retention was a common grower observation as the summer heat continued The saving grace for 1995 proved to be warm and dry fall weather which assisted late season development and harvest operations.