By Clint Thompson
Georgia cotton producers are beginning to harvest this season’s crop. The Georgia Cotton Commission and University of Georgia (UGA) Cotton Team remind growers that there are management options that they need to be mindful of for this season and next, especially related to disease control.
Bob Kemerait, UGA Extension plant pathologist, highlighted cotton diseases while speaking at the recent UGA Cotton and Peanut Field Day in Tifton, Georgia.
“Of course, everybody’s attention right now and understandably, is focused on the jassid. But we do have diseases out there. We have a little bit of areolate mildew. We have some target spot out there,” Kemerait said.
“Like I told a group of growers, I don’t have to encourage a peanut grower to use a fungicide, because they recognize it. For cotton growers, they think that’s the last thing in the world they want to do especially with cotton prices, but recognizing the threat in your crop, you can make money by a judicious use of a fungicide. Don’t do it recreationally, and don’t do it just because. Be aware that there are diseases out there.
“The most important thing I would say for cotton growers in my wheelhouse right now is to look at their fields right now, assess where they had good nematode control, assess where they had nematode control that could have been better and make careful decisions for next year. Can you use a resistant variety? Do you need a different nematicide? Now is the time to take nematode samples as we approach harvest or immediately after harvest.”