One of the most difficult decisions made in a growing season, that we typically try to forget about later, is whether to accept or replant our cotton stand. Growers occasionally face poor environmental conditions prior to or after planting which stress emerging seedlings. If these stresses are severe enough to kill a substantial number of the emerging seedlings, a decision of whether to accept or replant the crop must be made. It has been demonstrated that accepting a uniform, lower plant population may provide adequate yield potential, especially if seeded earlier in the recommended planting window and environmental conditions are favorable. However, lower populations and later planting dates may delay maturity, increase risk of poor fiber quality, and must be managed for earliness. This presentation will summarize some parameters to consider when first evaluating an emerged cotton stand, factors in managing a replanted field, and some future advancements that have the potential to improve replant decision making and yield potential.
