Cotton producers should destroy stalks as early as possible to reduce the removal of soil moisture from rains that came too late for the current crop. After stalk destruction, sub-soil and chisel to achieve maximum storage of moisture throughout the soil profile. For the current crop, cultivate only to control weeds for the remainder of the season. If tillage is absolutely necessary, limit the operation to shallow cultivation to minimize root injury. Do not cultivate too deep.
Nothing is gained from deep cultivation.
Excessive root injury can shock the plant into fruit shedding that could reduce lint yield under a limited moisture condition. Cotton producers should terminate the application of the growth regulator, PIX, in fields that fail to receive additional rainfall. Decision to continue multiple low rate application of PIX should be based on vegetative growth and fruit load along with amount of effective rainfall. A total of 8 ounces of PIX per acre in two to four applications maybe sufficient for most dryland fields provided rainfall distribution has been adequate. Cotton producers should be aware that regrowth can be substantial when heavy rains are received after a cut out period.