As usual, the Beltwide Cotton Conferences were replete with excellent information that can be used this upcoming season. One of the new products that received some notoriety during the technical conference was Chaperone. Chaperone is a new plant growth stimulator marketed by Agrivert, Inc. The product contains sodium p-nitrophenolate, sodium o-nitrophenolate and sodium-5-nitroguaiacolate. Reports presented at the Beltwides over the past couple of years indicate that the product enhances yield, increases petiole nitrate concentration during bloom, and maintains/increases endotoxin levels in Bt cotton. Research conducted on irrigated cotton in the Coastal Bend has shown statistically significant lint yield increases of up to 274 lbs/acre compared to the untreated check and increased levels of petiole nitrates during the bloom period. In most instances, a five ounce application was made at early bloom. Results from three years of testing in Central Texas have not been quite as dramatic, but in most instances a positive trend was noted, but results were not statistically significant. However, when data from all seven studies were combined, the statistical analysis indicated significant lint yield increases with 10 and 20 ounce rates applied at early bloom. All treatments improved yield over the untreated check, with the 20 ounce rate showing a 12% yield advantage, the 10 ounce rate a 7.5% improvement and the 5 ounce rate a 3.4% increase (not statistically significant) over the untreated check. Based on all these results, it is apparent that the product potentially offers some very positive benefits; however, further testing in multiple environments is necessary to develop the best possible recommendations.

Sharppod morningglory is a troublesome perennial weed that is becoming more of a problem in central and south Texas regions. It is characterized by its heart-shaped and/or deeply lobed leaves, and a rosy lavender flower that has a dark lavender center. Sharppod originates from seed and quickly develops a branched rootstock, becoming a perennial plant in a few weeks. Pre-emergence herbicides such as prometryn or fluometuron provide good seedling control and suppression of perennial plants. However, the perennial plants will require treatment with postemergence herbicides to keep them under control. Our studies have shown that preemergence herbicides need to be followed by postemergence applications of glyphosate at 1.0 lb./acre of active ingredient. The glyphosate application controls any plants coming from seed, and temporarily stops the growth of perennial plants, but generally does not kill them. It is important to follow the initial glyphosate treatment with a sequential application 10-14 days later for improved control. Delaying the sequential application longer than 20 days results in reduced control. Late-season flushes of Sharppod can continue to cause problems that can only be managed by hooded or lay-by applications of glyphosate or other post-directed products such as diuron plus MSMA. Most burndown post-directed herbicides such as Cobra, or Aim offer vine defoliation and can help to keep the field harvestable. Post-harvest treatments with hormone herbicides (2,4-D, dicamba) to actively growing morningglory vines will also aid in killing the perennial rootstock and help to keep sharppod morningglory infestations to a manageable level the following season.