ABSTRACT
A potential use for Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) is the application of these chemicals to enhance germination, emergence, and early season growth of cotton. Applied to the seed, in-furrow, or as a foliar treatment, these chemicals are purported to provide beneficial plant responses during stand establishment and early season growth which are important in establishing yield potential. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of seed applied PGRs on cotton germination, emergence, and early season growth. Nine commercially available materials (Arise, Cytoplex, Early Harvest, Maxon, PGR-IV, Pix, Ryzup, Stimulate, and Triggrr were applied to seed at 0.5x, 1.0x, and 2.0x the recommended rates. Laboratory results showed no significant differences in Cool Warm Vigor Index (CWVI) values when compared to the control in 1996. In 1997 sixteen of the treatments increased CWVI values when compared to the control. In the field study, no significant increases in stand establishment were noted due to the PGR treatments when compared to the control in either 1996 or 1997. In the greenhouse study (1996 and 1997), no significant differences in total root length were observed when compared to the control. Results from the controlled temperature chamber showed no significant differences in emergence among the treatments in 1996 or 1997.
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