There are two aspects of decision making regarding cotton production practices: 1) those made prior to the season and, 2) those made during the season to adjust practices to the season.

Decisions of the first type involve selection of varieties, planting density, preplant application of fertilizer, herbicides, fungicides, etc.

Decision of the 2nd type involve timing of irrigations, need for insecticide application, additional fertilizer application.

Decisions of first type are made on the basis of expected weather, soil type, irrigation availability, market.

Farmers are used to selecting varieties and planting factors based on expected weather. Another decision of the same sort is fertility and plant density. There is now evidence that low nitrogen fertility imparts drought tolerance to the crop. Thus, in areas which expect low rainfall there is no advantage and probably some disadvantage to adding a sizeable quantity of nitrogen.

Most growers are aware of the adapted varieties for their area and have adapted a strategy of production which is designed to make money in the average year. The difficulties arise in the daily observations of progress of the crop during each season and making decisions about how to respond to those observations.