Year-Round IPM Program Pages
This year-round IPM program covers major pests of cotton grown in California.
About Preplant to Planting
What should you be doing during this time?
Select your field, considering pest history and surrounding crops.
Consider crop rotation if field had severe problems last year with root-knot nematode, Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, or seedling diseases.
Consider precision tillage and ripping for locations with a history of soil compaction, particularly if root-knot nematodes are also a problem.
Consider a trap-crop interplant of alfalfa, cowpea, or lima bean for lygus bug management.
- Keep records
- Treat if needed according to Cotton Pest Management Guidelines.
Select a variety, considering:
- Local conditions and climate.
- Field history of Verticillium wilt, Fusarium wilt, and root-knot nematode.
Consider a seed treatment for pests based on field history and according to the Cotton Pest Management Guidelines:
Start planning for when to plant around March 5 by checking 5-day degree-day forecast and taking soil temperature.