Extension agronomists recognized in the early 1970's that numerous fields in the state produced excessive vegetative growth. This excessive growth produced rank cotton that was delayed in maturity, had a greater incidence of boll rot, and was difficult to defoliate. In addition, the rank cotton required an extended and intensive insect control program because of the extended growing season. The causative factor of excessive growth was generally associated with overuse of nitrogen fertilizer. In 1979, the Cooperative Extension Service and Plant Analysis Laboratory initiated a cotton petiole analysis program to assist growers in nitrogen management. This program, under the leadership of Allen Fulford, Extension Cotton Specialist, has proven to be an excellent tool to aid in season N management.