Allen, Charles T.

Anderson, Carl

Metzer, Robert

Stichler, Charles

English

Texas A&M University

L-2241
Texas Agricultural. Extension Service
Pima Cotton Production Guide
Texas Agricultural Extension Service. Zerle L. Carpenter, Director. The Texas A&M University System. College Station, Texas
PIMA COTTON
PRODUCTION GUIDE
Charles Stichler, Charles T. Allen, Robert Metzer and Carl Anderson *
Introduction
Pima (Gossypium barbadence) is often referred
to as extra long staple (ELS) cotton because of its
long, fine fiber. Pima is a different species from
commonly grown Upland cotton (Gossypium
hirsutum), and is characterized by large, deeply
lobed five-point leaves with numerous gossypol
glands located on all plant parts. Although high
gossypol content repels some insects, insect pro-
blems on Pima cotton are similar to that of other
glanded Upland cottons. An indeterminate growth
habit and a long fruiting period require manage-
ment techniques that minimize pest damage. The
key management practices that contribute to pro-
fitable Pima production are discussed.
AGRONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS
Varieties
The development of Pima varieties is the result
of breeding programs in Arizona by the USDA
Agricultural Research Service. Pima acreage
constitutes a large percentage of the total cotton
planted in Arizona and the EI Paso Valley.
Improvement in Pima varieties has resulted in
production of superior varieties such as S-5 and
S-6 and a decline in the use of the earlier released
S-l variety. S-5 is a" slightly longer season cotton
and requires more accumulated heat units to reach
full maturity, while the S-6 is faster maturing and
is similar to long season Upland varieties in their
heat unit requirements.
*Extension agronomist, Extension entomologist r Extension
agronomist-cotton and Extension economist-cotton
marketing, respectively, The Texas A&M University System.
Planting
Pima seed are more cold tolerant and can be
planted 2 to 3 weeks earlier than Upland cotton.
An ideal plant population ranges from 40,000 to
50,000 plants per acre. A round or globose-type
plant is the normal configuration for Pima cottons.
However, plant population, insect damage and
cultural practices can alter this normal plant
configuration.
Water-Fertility Management
Pima is more prolific than most Upland varieties.
Water and fertility management are very important
to maintain a constant rate of growth and fruit set.
Lush, vegetative growth is minimized under con-
ditions that promote uniform fruiting. A heavy boll
load is an important factor in controlling plant
height. Setting as many of the first fruiting forms
as possible avoids a "top crop." Bolls in the upper
portion of the plant are difficult to maintain and
mature, and should not be counted on to produce
the majority of the lint yield.
Since Pima tends to have a high fruit set, good
nitrogen management is essential. In areas that
receive sufficient rainfall, or where irrigation is
available, apply half of the needed nitrogen
preplant and sidedress the remainder after square
initiation. Historically, in fields where excess
vegetative growth is seldom a problem, all of the
nitrogen can be applied preplant.
Pima also tolerates greater water stress than
Upland cotton without heavy fruit shed. If Pima
becomes vegetative, increase the intervals be-
tween irrigations to maintain fruiting-vegetative
balance. If Pima is not moisture-stressed and
nitrogen levels in the soil are not depleted, the
plant will continue to bloom until terminated by
frost.
Plant Growth and Development
Recent research work in the EI Paso Valley
shows that long season Upland cotton requires a
range of 2,600 to 2,750 heat units to mature a
crop; Pima, with a longer fruiting period, requires
2,700 to 2,900 heat units. In South Texas, the ac-
cumulated heat units are not a yield-limiting fac-
tor because of the long growing season. Since
Pima cotton requires a slightly higher accumula-
tion of heat units, major production acreage is con-
fined to the EI Paso Valley and South Texas
regions.
Harvesting-Ginning
Harvest Pima only with a spindle picker. Strip-
per harvest contributes to high trash content and
lower lint quality. In addition, roller gins are essen-
tial for processing Pima cotton. A saw-type gin
shortens the fiber length, resulting in reduced
quality and fiber value. The high quality advantage
of Pima fiber is lost, especially if the producer is
required to market the fiber as Upland cotton.
A good harvest-aid program is a key practice in
harvesting high quality lint. Use boll opening com-
pounds, such-as Prep@, to advance harvest and
promote once-over picking. Prep® can be used in
addition to defoliants such as def and dropp. An
effective harvest-aid program becomes essential
when Pima is produced in areas of higher humidi-
ty and rainfall. Field weathering (quality loss) and
physical loss from Pima's open boll trait are more
apt to occur under these climatic conditions.
INSECT PEST MANAGEMENT
Overview
The insect pest complex which attacks Pima
cotton is identical to those on Upland cotton.
However, Pima's response to the intensity of attack
by the various pests varies slightly when compared
to Upland cotton. Several features of Pima cotton
affect its susceptibility to insect attack. First, Pima
cotton fruiting forms are densely covered with
glands containing a sticky, black, alkaloid-laden
resin. Second, mature Pima bolls are not as firm
as Upland cotton bolls; therefore, Pima bolls are
more susceptible to insect attack for a much
longer period. Third, Pima is a long season crop
that matures slowly. These fruiting traits require
a longer period of pest control management com-
pared with Upland cotton varieties.
Early Season Pests
Pima is similar to Upland cotton with respect to
early season damage from such pests as thrips,
grasshoppers and cotton f1eahoppers. Controlling
these pests is essential in maintaining a desirable
fruiting-vegetative balance during the effective
fruiting period. ,
Bollworms and Tobacco Budworms
Because of the abundance of glands containing
gossypol and other alkaloids on Pima cotton fruit,
Pima is less susceptible to bollworm and budworm
damage than Upland varieties. Pima cotton may
encounter more early season damage from
bollworms and budworms, but once mid-season is
reached, fewer eggs are deposited and lower
survival of small worms is observed in Pima. In
West Texas, insecticide treatments are rarely
needed to control bollworms after mid-July.
Boll Weevil
Although Pima cotton is currently grown in
weevil-free areas, producers can expect a higher
control cost for this pest in regions infested with
the boll weevil. Since Pima bolls do not harden un-
til 30 to 45 days after bloom, they are more suscep-
tible to boll weevil damage over a long period com-
pared to Upland cotton. Additionally, Pima cotton
requires a longer season to reach its full yield
potential. Currently, Pima is planted earlier than
Upland cotton and is usually harvested after
Upland cotton. Pima cotton production budgets in
boll weevil-infested areas must include a higher
control cost for this pest compared to Upland
cotton.
Pink Bollworm
The pink bollworm is also a more troublesome
pest because of the long season fruiting trait of
Pima cotton. Compared to Upland .cotton, an ex-
tended period of soft bolls causes Pima cotton to
be more susceptible to pink bollworm. Efficient
harvest, complete stalk destruction and early plow-
down programs are highly important in reducing
pink bollworm flare-ups. These post-harvest opera-
tions also aid in suppressing boll weevils.
MARKETING AND POLICY
The American Pima market has improved from
a combined takeoff of domestic use and exports
of 61,000 bales in 1982 to around 165,000 in
1986. However, 1986 production totaled a record
205,900 bales, a 33 percent increase from the
previous year. Stocks, therefore, increased to
83,000 bales by the end of 1986/87 season.
D9mestic use was about 60,000 bales during the
1985 and 1986 market years. Exports have
increased from 12,500 in 1982 to 100,000 bales
in 1986~
Extra long staple cotton is grown in certain
designated counties in western Texas, New Mexico
and Arizona. An acreage reduction program (ARP)
of 10 percent under established acreage base was
in effect for the 1986 extra long staple cotton crop.
Participation was voluntary, but only producers
reducing acreage were eligible for the target price
protection of 102.48 cents per pound and a loan
rate of 85.4 cents. For 1987, the acreage reduc-
tion program was increased to 15 percent because
of stock buildup. The loan rate was reduced to 81.4
cents and the target price to 97.7 cents per pound.
Other 1987 provisions include no limited cross
compliance, no offsetting compliance, no paid
land diversion program and no advance deficien-
cy payments.
Current market information on extra long staple
cotton can be obtained from the "Long Staple
Cotton Review," USDA, Agricultural Marketing
Service, Cotton Division, Market News Branch,
4841 Summer Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee,
38122.
The information given herein is for educational purposes only. Reference to commercial
products or trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended
and no endorsement by the Cooperative Extension Service is implied.
Educational programs conducted by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic
level, race, color, sex, religion, handicap or national origin.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as
amended, and June 30,1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Zerle L. Carpenter, Director, Texas
Agricultural Extension Service, The Texas A&M University System.
3M-7-87 AGR 2


Pima Cotton Production Guide.

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Pima Cotton Production Guide.

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