1. Beltwide Cotton Conference Cotton Agronomy & Physiology Section
Late Season Cotton Canopy Manipulation VIA Aim Managed Maturity – What is it and What are the Benefits to Cotton Production
Authors – J.S. Wilson - Raleigh, NC, Joseph Reed - N. Little Rock, AR, Henry R. Mitchell – Louisville, MS, Terry Mize – Kansas City, MO and T. I. Crumby – Bolton, MS, FMC Corporation.
Beltwide Cotton Conference
Cotton Agronomy & Physiology Section
Nashville, TN
January 10, 2008
9 November 2007
Company Confidential

2. Presentation Outline Project Goals and Targets
What was learned in 2005 – 06
Proposed Label
2007 Field Program
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3. 9 November 2007

4. Project Goals and Targets
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5. What’s the Idea?
AIM has shown that it removes late season juvenile growth and immature bolls that do not contribute to the plant’s yield or quality. By shutting down this late season vegetative growth we can stimulate the plant to put valuable resources into the fruit of the plant. This reduction in rank top growth, should facilitate better defoliation, early harvest and promote a more managed maturity. The reduced unproductive top growth should also increase yields and increase some cotton key quality factors. Finally, the removal of this juvenile growth may also reduce the insect population and prevent late season sprays.
9 November 2007

6. What might except?
Earlier harvest as measure by gaining 1-2 weeks before normal harvest time.
Improved defoliation as measured by % defoliation and opening up of the upper canopy.
Potential yield increases as measured by an increase in harvested lint per acre
Potential improved lint quality as measured by micronaire, staple length, strength and reduced trash
Reduction of late season insect pests, potentially reducing the need for an insecticide application.
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7. Managed Maturity only eliminates the upper unproductive leaves and immature bolls
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8. What was learned in
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9. 2005 Key Achievements
G030.COT Aim EC for Cotton Managed Maturity
Timing and Rate Results
Aim provides good upper canopy defoliation, desiccation and termination control in cotton
In the timing study it appears that the later timing (20%) provided more desirable overall results.
Yield and Quality Results
No significant yield increases were noted
There were no significant differences in micronaire, length or strength
9 November 2007

10. 2006 Key Achievements
G030.COT Aim EC for Cotton Managed Maturity
Rate Results
Aim provides good upper canopy defoliation and desiccation in cotton. For both factors there was an increase response as the rates increase from to 0.01 lb/A
Aim did increase the earliness of the cotton versus the untreated checks by 5 to 10% across the rate range.
Aim provided good to excellent terminal (range 63 to 82%) control versus the untreated checks.
Yield Results
No significant yield differences were seen across all trials.
There were no significant differences in micronaire, length or strength
9 November 2007

11. G030.COT.06.02 Aim EC for Cotton Early Termination
2006 Key Achievements
G030.COT Aim EC for Cotton Early Termination
Insecticide Trials
Insect Control Results
Due to poor late season pressure of pests (bollworms and stinkbugs) no significant differences could be determined between the Aim and Mustang Max. There was a trend towards some activity versus the checks.
More testing needs to be done to validate this point.
9 November 2007

12. Best Management Practices for Aim EC in Cotton Managed Maturity, Based on 05 – 06 Field Program
Aim EC Early Termination Usage Chart
Crop Variables
Spray
Don’t Spray 1
Rate
3/8 oz/A lb/A
(use 1/2 oz/A lb/A for more rank cotton)
Rates higher than lb/A 2
Environmental
Good soil moisture
Dry conditions 3
Timing
15 to 20% open bolls
< 10% or > 25% open bolls 4
Management
Crop actively growing
Crop mature or cutting out 5
Variety
Longer season ( DP555)
Short season (DP444)
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13. Proposed Label
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14. Label Language for Aim Managed Maturity
Managed Maturity Application for Cotton
Aim EC may be applied as an aid to remove undesirable top growth and reduce unproductive terminal growth. It may be used alone or as a tank mixture with other cotton insecticides and herbicides. Read all product labels and follow all directions and precautions when tank mixing with this product.
Timing
Apply Aim EC when cotton is actively growing and the plants have 0% to 20% open bolls; with applications at 15% open bolls being optimum. When using the Cotman monitoring program, apply Aim EC at NAWF5, plus 450 – 650 heat units. Avoid Early Termination treatments to fields, or areas of fields, that are stressed.
Aim EC Use Rates
Apply Aim EC as a broadcast spray at 1/4 fl. oz. per acre (0.004 lb ai per acre) to 1/2 fl. oz. per acre (0.008 lb ai per acre), targeting 3/8 fl. oz. per acre (0.006 lb ai per acre) in spray volume adequate to obtain upper canopy coverage of the plant foliage. In situations of extremely lush growth, apply up to ½ fl. oz. per acre (0.008 lb ai per acre). Applications should be made using a minimum of 10 gallons of finished spray per acre for ground application and a minimum of 5 gallons per acre by air. Good upper canopy coverage is essential for optimum performance.
Adjuvants
Use a quality crop oil concentrate (COC) at the recommended rate of 1% v/v.
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15. 2007 Field Program
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16. Objectives of Aim Managed Maturity 2007 Program
1. Generate efficacy data for label support and increase the size of the database.
Large scale trials (sides by side comparisons)
Consultant program with 21 cooperators with 2-3 site per consultant
Replicated Trials
University Program – (12 Universities)
Cotman Validation – (3 trials)
Lower Delta Validation – (4 trials)
Variety Validation – (6 trials)
2. Fine tune the issues around use rates, timing of applications (Cotman model) and potential geographical differences like weather and irrigation use.
3. Collect additional yield and quality data.
4. Understand how Managed Maturity fit into a program under typical PGR use and Defoliation Programs.
9 November 2007

17. Replicated Trials Locations
University/ Cooperator
State
Rates/ Timing
Cotman Validation
Delta Validation
Variety Validation 1
Tom Barber AR X
X (2 locations) 2
Keith Edminsten NC 3
Chris Main TN 4
Michael Jones SC 5
Charlie Bormester AL 6
Dan Reynolds MS 7
Sandy Stewart 8
Wayne Keeling TX 9
Billy Warrick 10
Trey Koger 11
J C Banks OK 12
Tim Adcock 13
Richard Griffin LA
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18. Trial Design : University Protocol - Rates
Objective: Generate efficacy data for product/label support and gain local university recommendations.
Trt Trt Form Rate Unit Appl.
No Name Amt Code
1 Aim EC lb ai/A A
COC % v/v A
2 Aim EC lb ai/A A
COC % v/v A
3 Aim EC lb ai/A A
COC % v/v A
4 Untreated
1. Treatments applied to uniform cotton at the 15% open stage in 10 GPA.
2. Investigate % defoliation, % desiccation and % terminal 7, 14 and 21 DAT. Yield and quality factors. Better define best management practices.
3. Defoliation program will be AIM EC at lbai/A plus Ethephon 0.75 lbai/A plus a COC. Retreatment with Aim EC if necessary.
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19. Data from Dr. Koger (MSU) After Managed Maturity Application
University Results – 2007
Data from Dr. Koger (MSU) After Managed Maturity Application
Treatment
Rate
oz/A
(lb ai/A)
% Defoliation
7 DAT
% Desiccation
% Terminal
Control
% Open Bolls
Yield
Lb/A
Aim EC
0.004
5.8 c
11.8 c
60 b
84.8 a
1078 a
0.006
9.5 b
19.5 b
68.8 a
88.3 a
1022 a
0.008
16.3 a
32.5 a
73.8 a
92.8 a
929 a
Untreated Check
0 d
0 c
80.5 a
1037 a
Timing – 15% Open Boll Target
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20. Trial Design : Lower Delta Validation
Objective: Generate efficacy data to make application recommendations based on the best timing in the lower part of the cotton belt.
Trt Trt Form Rate Unit Appl.
No Name Amt Code
1 Aim EC lb ai/A A
COC % v/v A
2 Aim EC lb ai/A B
COC % v/v B
3 Aim EC lb ai/A C
COC % v/v C
Aim EC lb ai/A D
COC % v/v D
5 Untreated
1. A = 5% open boll, B = 15% open boll, C = 25% open boll and D = 35% open boll.
2. Investigate % defoliation, % desiccation and % terminal 7, 14 and 21 DAT. Yield and quality factors. Better define best management practices.
3. Defoliation program will be AIM EC at lbai/A plus Ethephon 0.75 lbai/A plus a COC. Retreatment with Aim EC if necessary.
9 November 2007

21. Lower Delta Validation – 2007
Data from Dr. Koger (MSU) After Managed Maturity Application
Treatment
Rate
oz/A
(lb ai/A)
Timing
Open Boll
% Defoliation
% Open Bolls
Yield
Lb/A
Aim EC
0.006 5%
73.8 a
90 a
1183 a
15%
60 b
76.3 a
1163 a
25%
63.8 ab
80.0 a
1152 a
35%
67.5 ab
1156 a
Untreated -
57.5 b
75.0 a
1100 a
9 November 2007

22. Trial Design : Variety Validation
Objective: Generate efficacy data to ensure there are no differences in variety response to this unique application.
Trt Trt Form Rate Unit Appl.
No Name Amt Code
1 Aim EC lb ai/A A
COC % v/v A
2 Untreated
1. Treatments applied to uniform cotton at the 15% open stage in 10 GPA.
2. Investigate % defoliation, % desiccation and % terminal 7, 14 and 21 DAT. Yield and quality factors. Better define best management practices.
3. Defoliation program will be AIM EC at lbai/A plus Ethephon 0.75 lbai/A plus a COC. Retreatment with Aim EC if necessary.
9 November 2007

23. Variety Validation Results to Date
Keith Edmisten (NCSU) – tested three new RR Flex varieties with no differences.
Tom Barber (AR) – tested three varieties and there only some differences in initial defoliation.
Consultant program – received data from 38 locations with side by side comparison of Aim treated versus untreated. There were 28 difference varieties in this group. No differences were noted in yield or quality.
9 November 2007

24. Summary
2007 Results
Program was very successful in increasing Aim exposure for this use and increasing university and consultant support. About 50 consultant trials and 24 replicated trials were conducted, thus increasing our understanding and database.
Patent is complete and submitted. Label will require some minor changes mainly to the Cotman part (recommend NAWF – 650). Changing language for lb/ A rate. Registration needs to submit via notification ASAP.
Rates studies protocols conducted at the universities indicated that the target rates of 3/8/oz were best for defoliation, desiccation, terminal control, open boll and yield. The lower rate (0.004 lb/A) tended to show less plant effects but better yield enhancement. The higher rate (0.008 lb/A) tended to show more plant and lower yields.
More data needs to be collected but Cotman model indicated that best results were noted between NAWF 450 – 650 HU.
Lower Delta Validation protocols showed the best target timing was 15% open bolls, in terms of overall performance i.e. defoliation, open boll and yield.
No variety differences were noted across location and seed companies.
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25. Questions
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