The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1915-05-29
COTTON BOIL RIOTS AND THEIR
CONTROL.

In every section where cotton is
grown extensively has appeared rot
which does great harm. The rotting
of the hollis probably is the more Sc
rious and this is caused chiefly by GER
tain parasitic fungi and bacteria,among
which are the following: glomerella
which are the following: glomerella
aossypi, causing anthracnose, bad
rot of the bolls; bacterium malvacea-
rum, dlpIodia sossypina and fusarum.
Cotton anthracnose was first describ-
ed in 1891 and has since been found
throughout the southern states. This
disease attacks the cotton bolls, stems,
boil pedicels and the young seedlings.
The boil rot is apparent as small
reddish spots which later enlarge and
turn black. If moisture is plentiful
such as is afforded by our summer
showers, the disease spreads by spores
and the injury becomes great. How
ever, if little or no rain occurs the
spread is likely to be limited and little
injury will result
Any lot affected becomes worthless
and lowers the grade Of other cotton.
The seed from affected hollis become
disseminators of the disease the fol-
lowing year and thus the spread in
creases from year to year.
The boil rot caused by bacteria Is
VERY similar, but can be distinguished
by the watersoaked spots with no
borders of red; these later shrink and
dry but do not turn pink.
When anthracnose attacks the pedi-
cels of bolls these die and the boil dries
up and falls off. Stems affected are
easily broken during windy weather
and whole branches lost.
Young seedlings from infected seeds
often suffer, either by failure to come
above ground or by "damping Off after
coming up. There are other causes for
, damping off, but this one is certainly
: lof much Importance.
1t has been proved that anthracnose
will not live longer than one year in
the field; thus if we establish such a
: rotation that cotton is not planted on
the same area or closely adjoining
i. one for two consecutive years the
t disease may be eliminated. In seed
e however, the spores will live for two
D or three years. Thus the selection OF
r seed is of vital Importance; in this
J, manner those free from disease may
r he secured.
+ The disease is spread by the growth
LOT the fungus mycelium and by the
!, scattering of spores. The latter may
\ be blown in the wind when dry OF
washed in the raindrops during
8 Ishower. Besides, they are sticky ant
It masses may be attached to the feet ant
O bodies of insects, such as bees, ant
r be carried from flower to flower.
Before the disease can develop thu
fungus must be present. Then thu
cold wet weather few days afte
planting fayors it's growth. Later whei
a plants are large and bolls or squares
O are formed the showers favor it
# growth and spread.
e The extent of loss from anthracnos
a is hard to establish, owing to tn
d variety of infections which may occu
d and the varying extent of each. How
e ever, loss may come from the killin
/? LOT cotton seedlings, resulting in poo
J. stand; the, destruction of bolls; tn
a, damage of lint in partially destroye
ID bolls, causing a reduction in grade
ic and the injury to stems of matur
re plants.
Like most diseases, this one is di
10 ficult to remedy after infection, but
Ii largely preventable before planting
I the proper steps are taken. The 70
Ii lowing measures should be followed
Id selection of planting seed free frol
Id disease; selection of varieties lea'
ey likely to be affected; and crop rotation
n combined with fall blowing.
or Unlike potato scab and some oth'
he fungus diseases, there is no treatmel
he which may be given the seed whit
wv will destroy the fungus without d
Is. stroying the seed.
No remedial measures of value a
known; so prevention is the only pls
left to stop the onslaught and loss fro
ny the crop pest.
AZ --
he Not to rub it in too hard on the far
hs ers a few hundred miles north, Il
gu May crop report of the department