Weeds and cotton

Early competition from weeds can drastically curtail the yield of cotton, far more than the reduction in vegetative growth might suggest; and at the end of the growing season late weed growth can interfere with mechanical harvesting and cause staining of the lint. While the use of herbicides is widespread and increasing, problems with perennial weeds have become more acute and there is a need for selective materials effective over a wide range of soil and climatic conditions.