Control of excess vegetative growth has always been a goal of cotton growers. Growth control through water stress has been shown to limit yield potential. Pix provides the cotton producer a tool to achieve a proper balance between vegetative growth and fruiting without limiting yield potential. During the decade of the 1980's we conducted 129 replicated trials to evaluate Pix response and determine proper conditions for use as well as optimum rate and timing of the material.

These studies have helped us realize there are at least six factors which should be considered in order to make the best decision for the use of Pix: 1.Plant height just prior to or at first bloom. 2.Number of main stem nodes at the time the plant height measurement is taken. 3.The percent of retained fruiting forms at the first position for the first five fruiting branches (FB-1, 1-5). 4.Node number of the first fruiting branch. 5.Date of planting. 6.Row spacing.

These factors have an impact on cotton response to Pix. We previously published their separate effects. In research, we attempt to measure the response of one factor while holding the others constant. Under grower conditions these factors may all vary. With an expert system such as CALEX/Cotton, growers can collect the appropriate data and the expert system allows factors to interact which may have an impact on Pix response.