Mepiquat Chloride is an anti-gibberellin growth regulant used to manage vegetative growth of cotton crops. In recent years surveys of research needs by industry have frequently identified the need for research into the use of Mepiquat Chloride. Many in the industry have witnessed both positive and negative impacts associated with its use, however, a lack of crop monitoring associated with its use limits understanding on how the crop responded such to build robust management approaches for future use.

To help support better understanding of Mepiquat use Cotton Seed Distributors has teamed up with CRDC and the CSIRO to implement a program of support to provide opportunities for growers and consultants to investigate different Mepiquat Chloride management practices that lead to improvements in crop productivity including:

• Seeking and identifying which Mepiquat Chloride practices lead to improvements in crop performance in different farming production settings and environments.
• Refining approaches to monitoring crops for potential growth regulant application.
• Investigate in detail approaches that apply Mepiquat Chloride at lower rates earlier and more frequently.
• Provide a regionally specific platform for framing research outcomes relating to Mepiquat Chloride management and assist with extension of responsible management practices to the broader grower and agronomic community.
• Collate and collect data that could inform opportunities to further develop crop monitoring programs like CottonTracka to assist with plant growth regulator decision making.

This study is not only a collaboration between CSD, CRDC and CSIRO but also growers and agronomists. All parties are involved in the planning, acting, observing, and reflection phases of the research.

The study commenced in July 2023 and to date the following actions have been taken:

• An initial Mepiquat Chloride Survey which received 33 responses regarding early season Mepiquat Chloride use.
• Establishment of relationships with interested cotton agronomists/consultants and growers for participation in the study.
• Identification of key areas of interest for involved agronomists/consultants and growers in the study.
• Development of treatment plans for different crops in study.
• In field demonstration with involved agronomists/consultants and growers to equip them with the skills and knowledge to set up trial sites and undertake the agreed treatment plans.

We are now working closely with the involved agronomists/consultants and growers to include sites with local field days and host on-farm discussions around the trial and cotton growth management.

Outcomes will be shared across the industry.  The CSD support for this initiative is provided through CSD’s Richard Williams Commercial Research Initiative.