The abundant rainfall that has blessed Southwest cotton land this growing season has provided ample soil moisture to get crops off to the best start in several years, but along with the benefit comes a few liabilities, such as weed pressure.

Mid-season weed control will be critical to maintain yield and quality and to prevent weed seed from surviving to germinate in next year’s crops.

Exceptional rainfall has created an ideal environment for weed pressure across Texas, say Emil Kimura, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service agronomist in Vernon, and Gaylon Morgan, AgriLife Extension statewide cotton specialist in College Station.

Morgan said lint yield can be reduced by 13 to 54 percent when one to 10 Palmer amaranth plants, respectively, are present in every 30 feet of row. Control should include cultivation, preplant, pre-emergence and postemergence herbicide applications, he said.

When it comes to mid-season weed control, the two specialists recommend two major weed management practices—cultivation and herbicides.