10 reasons to get the Green Light for Planting
Home » 10 reasons to get the Green Light for Planting
Print

10 reasons to get the Green Light for Planting

Planting your cotton crop sets the standard for the entire season. The temptation to plant early may be strong, however waiting until conditions are optimal paves the way for a successful crop with higher yield potential and fewer management challenges.

Below are 10 reasons why it’s beneficial to wait and get the Green Light for Planting.

Ask yourself, do you have the Green Light for Planting?

Increased seedling survival rates

One of the most significant risks of early planting is the dramatic reduction in seedling survival rates, with a clear correlation between soil temperature and seedling survival:

  • At 10°C soil temperature, only 56% of seedlings survive
  • At 14°C, seedling survival improves to 73%
  • Optimal seedling survival of 90% occurs at 18°C

These statistics underscore the importance of waiting to plant when soil temperatures reach at least 14°C or above at 10cm depth, measured at 8am AEST, for three consecutive days.

Strong emergence and early growth

Planting in cooler soils doesn’t just affect survival rates; it also significantly slows down the emergence and early growth of cotton seedlings. At lower temperatures:

  • Root and shoot growth are diminished
  • Water and nutrient uptake are reduced
  • Overall plant development is delayed

Commencing planting when soil temperature is optimal ensures the seedling have sufficient time to emerge and good vigour in early development.

Reduced susceptibility to seedling diseases

Early planting often coincides with conditions that are highly favourable for cotton seedling diseases. The cooler, wetter conditions typical of early planting dates create an ideal environment for pathogens such as:

  • Rhizoctonia
  • Pythium
  • Fusarium

These diseases can cause pre-emergence damping off, killing seedlings before they break the soil surface or post-emergence damping off within the first one to four weeks after planting. Waiting for the Green Light for Planting decreases the susceptibility of cotton seedlings to diseases.

Decreased risk of black root rot

Black root rot, caused by the fungus Thielaviopsis basicola, is particularly problematic in early planted cotton. With a greater prevalence at lower temperatures, black root rot leads to slowed crop development and a reduction in your cotton crop’s season.

Delaying planting can substantially decrease the severity of black root rot by shortening the window of favourable conditions for disease development.

Lower potential for chilling injury

Cotton seedlings are particularly sensitive to cold temperatures. Daily minimum temperatures below 11°C can cause cold shock to cotton plants, resulting in delayed growth the following day. Chilling injury can set back crop development and potentially reduce overall yield, reinforcing the benefit of ensuring you wait until soils are at optimal temperatures before you plant.

Greater stand uniformity

Uniform stand establishment is crucial for maximising yield potential and simplifying crop management throughout the season.

Cotton plants can often compensate for uneven plant populations however yield potential can be impacted:

  • In Australian plant population trials the yield potential for uniform plant stands drops by 6% on average and a maximum of 18% when plant stands fall below 8 plants/m.
  • Two or more 25cm gaps in the plant line not only reduce plant populations but, on average, lowered yields by 5%.

Refraining from early planting under suboptimal conditions improves emergence rates and stand uniformity.

Less management challenges

When seedlings struggle due to early planting, it can lead to multiple management issues:

  • Delayed early season crop growth
  • Increased potential for replanting
  • Mixed crop maturity of replanted crops
  • Plant growth regulation and defoliation issues from uneven crops
  • Thicker main stems in lower plant populations, impacting root cutting operations
  • Blockages of the picker head from crop inconsistencies and gaps in the plant stand
  • Increased labour and input costs to address crop management issues.

For best results, gaining the Green Light for Planting minimises early-season management challenges. 

Better soil moisture management

Soil moisture at planting is crucial for seed-to-soil contact and early root development. Early planting can complicate soil moisture management:

  • If beds are too wet at planting, it can result in a shiny, smeared planter slot, making it difficult for young roots to penetrate
  • Planting too shallow in dry conditions doesn’t allow the emerging cotton plant to scrape off the seed coat at germination, slowing growth.

Effective seed treatments

Many cotton seeds come pre-treated with fungicides and insecticides to protect against early-season pests and diseases.

When seeds are planted too early in cool, wet soils the effectiveness of these treatments may be reduced and seedlings can remain in a vulnerable state for a longer period, potentially outlasting the protection period of the treatments.  

By waiting until soil temperatures and conditions are right, it reduces the necessity for additional costly, in-furrow treatments and decreases the complexity of crop establishment.

Increased potential yield

Well sown is half grown. The cumulative effect of the forementioned factors can significantly improve final yield.

Ensuring seeds are planted in favourable field conditions and effectively managed during early growth stages, cultivates an ideal environment for maximising the crop’s potential. 

Don’t get caught running the red light, visit the FastStart website for a suite of tools to help inform your decision making.

 

Have you got the Green Light for Planting?