A new palmtop computer program was introduced in 1993 to simplify the processing and interpretation of plant monitoring information for in-season cotton management decisions. The program, a Lotus 123 macro, is as simple as possible for the user, but does as much processing and interpretation for the user as is currently possible. The program has extensive error testing with appropriate error messages. The instructions are concise and direct, fitting on one sheet of paper. The program is being expanded for 1994 to easily store and access several years of plant monitoring information for a particular field.

An end of season program, written in C++, has been developed for a detailed plant monitoring analysis of the cotton crop. These two programs and others for the replanting and final irrigation decisions are collectively called the California Cotton Manager and are available from all California Cooperative Extension Cotton County offices.