Nodes above the uppermost first position white flower (NAWF) is a well-recognized way to monitor cotton maturity. The blooms present at cutout – when there is an average of five nodes above this white flower (NAWF=5) – represent the last effective bolls that will contribute to yield in a substantial way.
According to Scott Stewart, Extension entomologist with the University of Tennessee, growers who record the date of cutout can start counting down the days until treatments for some insect pests like plant bugs, stink bugs and caterpillar pests can be ended.
Leave a Reply