Current Situation

It has been a difficult growing season for much of the Oklahoma cotton growing region. Hot and dry describes the past several weeks for Southwest Oklahoma with only a few localized area receiving any significant rainfall. Dryland cotton is suffering in most areas. There is some areas of irrigated cotton in the state that is developing well and large bolls are being observed in several of these fields. The forecast for the next five days in Southwest Oklahoma is hot and dry, with a slight rain chance Thursday (August 15).

 

Figure 1. Next Seven Days forecast for Norman, OK issued on August 15, 2024.

 

Figure 2. Mesonet map of Oklahoma for Consecutive Days with Less than 0.25" Rainfall from August 14, 2024.

 

Figure 3. U.S. Drought Monitor for Oklahoma on August 13, 2024.

 

Pest Situation

Overall, pest pressure has been low this season. Thrips and cotton fleahopper pressure were both down. Grasshoppers were definitely one of the big stories early in the season but as the crop developed concerns lessened.

 

Currently, the pest we need to be keeping an eye on is stinkbugs. Several reports have come in from Caddo county, as well as some from Tillman and Jackson counties, reporting damage to newly formed bolls. Decisions to spray for stinkbugs are based off of damage thresholds. When scouting, pull 10 to 20 bolls from several parts of the field and inspect the outside of the boll for lesions. Then, cut open the bolls to look for internal warts and stained lint. Calculate a percentage of damaged bolls for the field. Action thresholds from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension suggest that chemical controls should be used when damage reaches 20 percent. Lower thresholds may be used when trying to achieve higher yields and quality.

 

If stinkbugs are treated, be sure to continue to scout for secondary pests, such as aphids and spider mites. Flare-ups of the secondary pest can occur following chemical control of stinkbugs.

 

Figure 4. Internal wart from stinkbug. Photo credit: NC State University

 

Figure 5. Green stinkbugs. Photo credit: Dr. Jenny Dudak, OK State University