PLSC 101 - Cotton

Final

what variety of cotton is grown in the US?

upland cotton

what is cottons scientific name?

Gossypium hirsutum

cotton is the #1 ________ _______ in the world

fiber crop

which US state is the largest cotton producer?

Texas (30%)

what is cotton grown for?

cotton lint (fiber) and cotton seeds (10-40 boll)

examples of things made from cotton lint:

fabrics, money, carpet, twine

examples of things made from cotton seed

oils, meal, animal feed, re-seeding

what type of plant is cotton?

tropical plant

average annual temp for cotton?

>50F

how many frost-free days does cotton need?

180-200

what is the minimum and maximum amount of rainfall needed?

Minimum = 20 in.

maximum = 75 in.

what weather is needed for growth?

sunny weather

how soon does cotton pollinate after flowers open?

the same day

at the time of the flower opening, what color is the flower?

white

how soon after pollination does the flower close?

the next day

what color does the bloom turn after closing?

pink/purplish

after the bloom closes, it becomes a _____

boll (fiber fruit)

what is the length of time from the start of flowering to the growth of a mature boll?

7-8 weeks (perennial)

the number of bolls coincides with _________ _______

plant size

smaller plant - less bolls

larger plant - more bolls

is cotton a self-pollinating plant?

yes

is cotton a long day/short day/day-neutral plant?

day-neutral

how deep are cotton seeds planted?

1-2 in.

what is the seeding rate for cotton?

3-4 seeds per foot of row

how many cotton plant per acre?

25,000-50,000

what time of the year is cotton planted?

March/April/May

what is sprayed to remove the leaves?

defoliant

how is cotton picked from plant?

cotton picked (as it ripens) or stripped from stem

describe the pest, Boll Weevil

female lay eggs in boll

larvae then feed on the cotton lint

what was the results of the Boll Weevil Eradication Commission est. in 1992?

increased yields of cotton and lower input costs