The length of the cotton production season in the Lower Coastal Bend Region of Texas is often limited to approximately 140 days from emergence to harvest. Management practices aimed at increasing early vegetative growth and square retention are important to insure crop maturity within this production period. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of soil insecticides (Temik and Orthene 90S) and the plant growth regulator PGR-IV on early vegetative growth, square retention and final lint yield. The experiment was conducted at the Texas A&M University Research and Extension Center at Corpus Christi, Texas during the 1993 growing season. A randomized complete block design with four replications was used to evaluate six experimental treatments. Temik applied at planting at a rate of 3.5 lbs acre ^-1 was more effective than 1.0 lbs acre^-1 of Orthene 90S in enhancing leaf, stem and fruit dry weight on May 24. An in-furrow application of PGR-IV at a rate of 1.0 oz acre^-1 increased early-season leaf, stem and fruit weight in the untreated check and enhanced the effect of Temik and Orthene in increasing plant growth. No significant differences in lint yield were measured in response to the experimental treatments. The data indicates that the use of Temik and PGR-IV can result in enhanced early vegetative growth and square retention, however, applications of Mepiquat Chloride may be needed in wet years to realize the benefits induced by Temik and PGR-IV.