The susceptibility of cotton to spring emergence of pink bollworm (PBW) was evaluated for a variety of planting dates in Pinal Maricopa, LaPaz and Yuma counties using historical climate records and heat-unit-based models that predict PBW emergence and cotton development. Early planted cotton proved most susceptible to the PBW emergence, however, cotton type (shoe vs. long staple) and springtime weather conditions both played an important role in overall susceptibility.

Field experiments conducted in 1989 comparing effects of planting date and irrigation termination date on pink bollworm in both in- season and overwintering infestations indicated different responses depending upon the location and type of cotton. Tests were located at: Yuma Agricultural Center; Marana Agricultural Center; and Maricopa Agricultural Center. Infestations at Yuma ranged from 0% at early flowering to 80% infested bolls prior to harvest. Marana had equally high infestations at the end of the season, while Maricopa had the lowest infestations ranging from 2% to 5% for Pima and 3 %-17% for Upland. Planting date or species of cotton did not affect early infestation. Data comparing plots for overwintering infestations are still being evaluated. Continuous insecticide treatments were made at all locations after squaring began.

Responses to environmental stresses such as excess salinity are difficult to understand if not studied under defined conditions. The objective of this study was to determine if cottonseed radicle and cotyledon growth during germination was affected by exogenous NaCl. Cottonseeds were imbibed in moistened paper toweling for 24 h at 32°C before transfer to an agar media containing selected concentrations of NaCl for an additional 24 h. Radicle linear growth extension was stimulated at low NaC1 concentrations (80 mM), but increasingly inhibited as NaCl concentrations increased from 160 to 400 mM. Radicle and cotyledon fresh weights were increasingly inhibited by NaCl concentrations between 0 and 400 mM. NaCl inhibition of radicle fresh weights was more pronounced than that of cotyledons. We conclude that the inhibitory effects of NaCl can be quantified as reductions in cottonseed radicle and cotyledon growth.

The accumulation of proline (Pro) in plants during NaCl stress may have adaptive significance and the study of this response could reveal a genetic strategy for enhancing NaCl tolerance. Our objective was to determine if the Pro content of germinating cotton seeds is altered by exposure to exogenous NaCl. Seeds were imbibed for 24 h at 32°C before transfer to agar media containing NaCl. After 24 h of NaCl exposure, the Pro contents of radicles and cotyledons were measured using a colorimetric assay. Results showed that Pro contents of both radicles and cotyledons increased as the level of NaCl increased. The bulk of Pro content increases were restricted to the radicle and occurred in the range of NaC1 concentrations from 200 to 400 mM NaCl.

The adaptive significance of proline (Pm) accumulation in cotton seeds can be assessed by determining if NaCl tolerance is influenced by changes in the Pm level of the seed. The objective of this study was to determine if exogenous L-Pro and D-Pro reduce NaCl inhibition of radicle growth of germinating cotton seeds. Seeds were imbibed for 24 h at 32°C before transfer to agar medium containing either Pro, NaCl or mixtures of both. Results indicate that exogenous Pro increases the Pro contents of cotton seed radicles and cotyledons to a similar extent. Such increases are independent of whether L- or D-Pro is fed exogenously. Results also show that exogenous Pro does not significantly reduce NaCl inhibition of radicle growth in germinating cotton seeds. .

Four flea experiments were conducted in 1990 in Arizona to evaluate the response of Upland and Pima cotton to dates of planting and dates of irrigation termination. Planting dates ranged from as early as 27 February in the Yuma Valley (150 ft. elevation) to 8 May at Marana (2,000 ft. elevation). Dates of irrigation termination ranged from 18 July in the Yuma Valley to 8 September at Maricopa and Marana.

A field study was conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center to evaluate the effectiveness of selected defoliant treatments on Pima cotton under warm and cool weather conditions. Dropp was effective as a one application defoliant in September when air temperatures were in the high 90's. In October, when night temperatures were lower, no defoliant tested was effective in a single application.

A field study was conducted at the Marana Agicultural Center to evaluate the effectiveness of selected defoliation treatments on Pima cotton under cool weather conditions. Defoliants were slow acting at this location, probably due to cool night temperatures and dry field conditions. The combination Dropp + Def 6 + Accelerate gave good defoliation results 18 days after application. The experimental defoliant SN 597 NA 243 shows promise as a defoliant for Pima when temperatures are cool.

A field study was conducted at the Maricopa Agricultural Center to determine the influence of nitrogen fertility level on the effectiveness of defoliants for short-season cotton production. Increasing the nitrogen fertility level from 30 to 130 lbs N/A decreased lint yields from 3.2 to 26 bales /A. High residual soil N favored the use of a low N fertility rate. Defoliation treatments were most effective at the 30 lbs. N/A fertility level. Increasing the application rate of Dropp from 0.2 to 0.4 lbs. a.i./A increased the percent defoliation. There was a significant linear decrease in the effectiveness of defoliants as the petiole NO₃-N content increased from 300 to 7000 ppm.

Short staple variety trials were conducted for three years at Prechel Farms near Coolidge At. Six varieties were included in 1988, twelve in 1989, and eight in 1990. Results from the statistical analysis showed significant differences among varieties in each of the three tests. Lint yields ranged from 908 to 1313 lbs. lint acre⁻¹ in 1988, 2844 to 4827 lbs. seedcotton acre⁻¹ in 1989, and 695 to 1059 lbs. lint acre⁻¹ in 1990. Those varieties that were medium to short-season maturity types yielded higher than long season maturity types in the 1988 and 1990 seasons. The reverse was true in the 1989 season.