Record the number of nodes on each plant producing a vegetative branch. Nodes with Fruiting Branches Fruiting branches are branches that grow out of the mid to upper nodes. These branches support squares and bolls and bend at each fruit attachment, resulting in a zig-zag pattern. Count all the nodes producing a fruiting branch, including terminal nodes that have a main stem leaf at least 1 inch in diameter. The first fruiting position is the position on the fruiting branch nearest the main stem.
Aborts are locations on fruiting branches where squares or bolls are shed.
Because damaged squares eventually shed, they are also considered aborts. Count and record all shed or damaged first-position fruit. Plant Height Measure plant height in inches from the cotyledons to the terminal. Once all measurements have been recorded for each plant, calculate the average for each measurement. These averages represent the growth and development for the field and provide the basis for calculating plant vigor, first fruiting node, and square retention.