Simulated early season terminal injury from tarnished plant bugs (Hemiptera: Miridae) in Southeastern cotton

Tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is one of the most consistent pests of cotton in the southeastern United States. Tarnished plant bug primarily feeds on reproductive structures, including pre-floral buds (squares), flowers, and small bolls, but can also feed on apical meristem tissue during pre-floral stages. Damage to cotton terminals can lead to loss of apical dominance and irregular cotton growth, potentially reducing lint yield. In 2022 and 2023, trials were conducted in 5 southeastern United States states (ie Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama) to determine the impact of simulated terminal injury at the 7-node stage and the fourth week of squaring on cotton growth and lint yield. Terminal injury at the fourth week of squaring led to a reduction in plant height or plant canopy width at the end of the season in several trials. Despite changes in plant architecture occurring in some trials, cotton lint yield was rarely affected by early terminal removal, except for the latest planted trial across the 2 study years. This provides limited evidence which further emphasizes the importance of timely planting for cotton in the southeastern region. The current study demonstrates the limited impact that terminal injury has on cotton lint yield and will help shape management recommendations for pre-floral cotton in the southeastern cotton production region.