Evaluation of Chlordimeform for Cotton Yield Enhancement1

Greenhouse and field studies were conducted to evaluate the effects of multiple applications of chlordimeform on the growth and development of cotton, Gossypium hirsutum. L., plants, and on early season insect populations. Plants were sprayed six times with chlordimeform either alone or in combination with fenvalerate at 5- to 7-d intervals, beginning at the six-leaf stage of plant development. In the absence of early season insects and when insect populations were maintained at a relatively low level, no increases in lint yield occurred on the chlordimeform-treated plants. However, yield increases did occur and insect populations became lower in these treated plots when early season insect populations in the test area were relatively high. None of the treatments influenced the boll components boll Size, seed index, lint index, and lint percentage, or the fiber properties length, strength, and micronaire.