FMC Introduces Managed Maturity Applications with Aim herbicide

From a company release

Philadelphia, Pa. (June 16, 2008) - FMC Corporation today announced the introduction of Managed Maturity, a new, late-season cotton management practice that utilizes low rates of Aim herbicide to reduce unproductive top growth, in order to concentrate moisture and nutrient transport into the maturing crop.

Benefits for cotton growers are additional management control and earlier harvest of maximum-yielding, high-quality cotton fiber.

 “Managed Maturity applications with Aim herbicide control late-season terminal growth, allowing additional sunlight and air penetration through the canopy, which is a precursor to an easier, more profitable harvest for cotton growers,” says Sam Wilson, FMC product development manager responsible for Managed Maturity. “By removing unproductive leaves, blooms, squares and immature fruit, growers can often increase the earliness of their crops.”

In Managed Maturity applications, a low use-rate of Aim is aerial applied in solution with water and a crop oil concentrate (COC) adjuvant, when the cotton crop is at approximately 15% open boll stage. Growers and cotton consultants are urged to read and follow the Managed Maturity usage directions within the approved cotton labeling.

In addition to enabling earlier harvest, potentially increasing yields, and minimizing adverse weather losses the Managed Maturity practice may hold additional benefits. Removing rank terminal growth is likely to reduce boll rot and late-season insect pest pressure. Improved sunlight and air flow through the canopy means a less favorable environment for pathogens. This may eliminate the need for a late-season spray, meaning savings on crop protection.

Data show that, on average, Managed Maturity applications with Aim controlled more than 50% of upper terminals, with approximately 20% defoliation of the upper canopy. Using Aim resulted in 10 to 15% more open bolls at the time of defoliation, allowing for easier, more efficient defoliation. In 57% of the Aim Managed Maturity field trials conducted by independent crop consultants, Aim herbicide boosted yields by approximately 35 pounds of lint per acre.

Figure 1 (below) shows the%age of cotton defoliation achieved with Managed Maturity applications using Aim herbicide. Compared to untreated checks, cotton receiving a Managed Maturity treatment with Aim herbicide showed higher defoliation. At 7 and 14 days after treatment (DAT), cotton receiving a Managed Maturity treatment with Aim herbicide showed an average of 15% more defoliation.

Figure 2 (below) shows the efficacy of Aim herbicide in boosting overall cotton yields on average in a series of 22 sites. Cotton treated with Aim yielded 1264.2 lbs/A, compared to untreated cotton, which yielded 1229.7 lbs/A, a difference of 34.5 lbs of seed cotton.

For Managed Maturity applications, Aim should be used at a rate of 3/8 oz/A and applied at the 15% open boll stage on cotton, including pima and upland varieties. Please read and follow label directions.

Figure 1: This 2007 consultant field trial shows the efficacy of Managed Maturity™ applications in improving defoliation in cotton. At 7 and 14 days after treatment (DAT), cotton treated as part of a Managed Maturity program showed 17% and 34% defoliation, compared to the untreated cotton, which showed 5% and 16% defoliation.