February, 2002
Dr. Randy Boman, Extension Agronomist-Cotton
Mr. Mark Kelley, Extension Assistant-Cotton
Mr. Alan Helm, Extension Assistant-Cotton
Mr. Mark Stelter, Extension Assistant-Cotton
Texas Cooperative Extension
Lubbock, TX
Small-plot cotton variety testing generally includes evaluation of genetic components but not genetics in concert with management programs. Characteristics commonly evaluated in small-plot testing include lint yield, turnout percentages, fiber quality, and earliness. Current small-plot variety testing programs are generally inadequate in scale and design to investigate the economic impact of new transgenic varieties with value-added traits. The objective of this project was to evaluate the profitability of various transgenic cotton varieties when compared to conventional types in producer's fields. Three replications of each variety were included at each location. Plot were of sufficient size to enable the compositing of all replications of each individual variety into a single module at harvest. Each individual variety had at least three acres total (approximately one acre per plot with three replications equals three acres total). Plot weights were determined at harvest using a boll buggy with integral electronic scales. Modules were followed through the ginning process to determine lint turnout, USDA fiber quality, and loan value. Three producer-cooperator locations were utilized for this project, including medium, high, and low weed control input sites. Insect control measures were uniform across varieties at all locations. In the high-yielding environment near Muleshoe, several varieties statistically produced the same net value. Two of the top 5 varieties were conventional types (FiberMax 819 and Deltapine 2156). Paymaster 2379RR and Paymaster 2326RR numerically produced the highest net value. Stoneville BXN 16 variety and system produced significantly lower net value per acre than some of the Roundup Ready varieties and the conventional FiberMax 819. In the lower-yielding environment near Cone, FiberMax 989 and FiberMax 958 produced the highest net values/acre compared to other varieties. Discounts for short staple and high micronaire contributed to lower loan value for several varieties, and reduced the overall net value/acre. In the second tier of significance was four additional varieties, including FiberMax 5015, FiberMax 989BG/RR, Paymaster HS26, and Paymaster 280. The only transgenic variety to place in the top six ranking for net value/acre was FiberMax 989BG/RR, which exhibited medium yield, but superior fiber properties. In the moderately high-yielding environment at Tokio, FiberMax 989BG/RR produced significantly greater net value/acre than all other varieties. Of the top six varieties in terms of net value/acre at this site, three were transgenic (FiberMax 989BG/RR, Stoneville 2454R and Paymaster 2280BG/RR) and three were conventional (FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, and AFD 2050). There was an average of $57.85 benefit to varieties with the Bollgard gene in similar genetic backgrounds. Results from the 2001 production season at three varying locations in the Texas High Plains indicate that some transgenic Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready/Bollgard stacked gene varieties can be competitive with standard conventional varieties in terms of production economics. However, at one lower-yielding location, conventional varieties produced the highest net values/acre. FiberMax picker varieties were consistent top performers in terms of net value/acre. These data indicate that substantial differences can be obtained in terms of net value/acre due to variety selection. The differences in net value when comparing the top and bottom varieties were $219, $125, and $236/acre for Muleshoe, Cone, and Tokio, respectively. It should be noted that no inclement weather was encountered in these trials prior to harvest. High intensity rainfall and/or high wind events were not experienced to potentially cause pre-harvest losses with the open boll picker-type varieties (FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, FiberMax 989BG/RR) or the lesser-stormproof stripper types (Stoneville 2454R and Stoneville BXN 16). Producers should take note that the harvest period optimum encountered in 2001 is not considered normal for the Texas High Plains.
Systems Agronomic
and Economic Evaluation of Transgenic and Conventional Varieties in the Texas
High Plains
February, 2002
Dr. Randy Boman, Extension
Agronomist-Cotton
Mr. Mark Kelley, Extension
Assistant-Cotton
Mr. Alan Helm, Extension
Assistant-Cotton
Mr. Mark Stelter, Extension
Assistant-Cotton
Texas Cooperative Extension
Lubbock, TX
Small-plot cotton variety testing generally includes
evaluation of genetic components but not genetics in concert with management
programs. Characteristics commonly evaluated in small-plot testing include lint
yield, turnout percentages, fiber quality, and earliness.
Over the last 4 years, High Plains cotton producers
have increased planted acres of transgenic cottons (Roundup- and Buctril-herbicide
tolerant and Bt insect-resistant types) from approximately 300 thousand in 1997 to approximately 2 million in
2001. Industry continues to increase
the number of herbicide-tolerant, insect-resistant, and "stacked
gene" varieties. The proliferation
of transgenic varieties in the marketplace for 2001 was substantial and is
expected to continue over the next few years.
New transgenic varieties were marketed in the High Plains by Delta and
Pine Land/Paymaster, Stoneville Pedigreed Seed/Stoneville, Texas, All Tex Seed
Company, and FiberMax in 2001. More
transgenic varieties in both picker and stripper type cottons are expected to
be released by these companies in 2002.
Liberty herbicide tolerant varieties from Aventis Crop Science
(successor: Bayer Crop Science) are
currently in development and should be available within the next few
years. Additional "stacked"
Bt gene products (Bollgard II) from Monsanto are also anticipated as well as an
“enhanced” Roundup Ready gene. Current
small-plot variety testing programs are inadequate in scale and design to
investigate the economic impact of new transgenic varieties with value-added
traits.
The objective of this project was to evaluate the
profitability of various transgenic cotton varieties when compared to
conventional types in producer’s fields in the Texas High Plains.
For scientific validity, three replications of each
variety were included at each location.
Plot size was of sufficient size to enable the compositing of all replications
of each individual variety into a single module at harvest. Each individual variety had at least three
acres total (approximately one acre per plot with three replications = three
acres total). A forced randomization
was used at each location. This was a
requirement due to the potential for drift of Buctril and Roundup Ultra to
adjacent non-herbicide tolerant varieties.
For example, the Roundup Ready varieties were planted in a contiguous
block, with a fill variety between the next herbicide system. Varieties within the next herbicide system
were then planted, with a fill variety between the last system. Varieties were randomized in each
replication and herbicide system, but the forced randomization due to herbicide
system was maintained. All fill
varieties were treated with conventional herbicides and were not used for data
acquisition.
Preplant incorporated and/or preemergence herbicide
applications were made at the discretion of the producer-cooperator. Broadcast over-the-top herbicide
applications were made using project equipment and project personnel or by the
cooperator. Post-directed herbicide
applications were made by the producer-cooperator with the guidance of project
personnel. Weed species spectrum was
determined by project personnel working with the cooperator. Control of weed escapes (hoeing and/or spot
spraying) was performed by project personnel and cooperator employees and
records were kept by herbicide system to facilitate economic analysis.
In-season plant mapping data were derived from
mapping 10 representative plants/plot on each mapping date, and the final plant
map was conducted on 6 plants/plot.
First position fruit retention, node of first fruiting branch, plant
height, nodes above white flower, and
overall plant development were tracked throughout the growing season. Plot weights were determined at harvest
using a boll buggy with integral electronic scales and grab samples were
obtained from each plot. Modules were
followed through the ginning process to determine lint turnout, USDA fiber
quality, and loan value. Ginners were
asked to gin each module separately and to tie off any remnant bales obtained
in the ginning process in order to determine more precisely the turnout and
lint yields. Data were then converted
to a per acre basis and appropriate statistical analyses were performed.
Three producer-cooperator locations were utilized
for this project.
Location 1 – Muleshoe (Parmer County)
James Brown Farm, near Muleshoe (Parmer County)
Clean tillage following corn
Irrigation: low elevation spray, straight rows
Plot size: 10 30-inch rows/plot
Area:
Variable (0.7 to 1.5 Acres/Plot), 3 replications of each variety
Planted: May
15, 2001 at 20 lb seed/acre
Harvest aid program: October 8 - 1 pt/acre Prep + 1
pt/acre Def + 1 pt/acre Crop Oil
Concentrate (COC) followed
by 16 oz/acre Cyclone Max + 2 oz/acre NIS on October 18
Harvested:
October 23 and 24, 2001
Blanket Weed Control Program: $30.09/acre
Dominant weed species: pigweed, kochia, johnsongrass,
cocklebur, volunteer corn
The whole field was treated with 2 pt/acre of
Treflan preplant incorporated. An
additional 1 pt/acre of Direx (diuron) was broadcast at planting. One post directed application of 1 qt/acre
MSMA + 1 qt/acre Cypro + 1 qt/acre COC was applied across all varieties. The total cost of the blanket weed control
program was $30.09/acre.
Specific herbicide systems costs included:
BXN variety:
1 pt/acre Buctril + 0.5% COC at 10 GPA on June 14.
Roundup Ready varieties: 26 oz/acre Roundup UltraMax
+ 17 lb of StrikeZone per 100
gallons of spray solution,
applied in 10 GPA on June 14 over-the-top.
All non-Roundup Ready Varieties: 12 oz/acre Fusion +
1% v/v COC at 10 GPA on June
21.
One cultivation was conducted across all varieties.
Hoe costs were $1.70 per acre for
conventional varieties.
Temik was applied in-furrow at planting at 3.5
lb/acre. Orthene was applied for thrips
and fleahopper control on June 6 at 4 oz/acre and June 14 at 3 oz/acre. Lepidopterous insect pressure at this site
was moderate, and the project was oversprayed twice for bollworm control (July
3, 2.13 oz/acre Ammo and August 8, 3.9 oz/acre Karate). This location was in an active boll weevil
eradication zone, but no applications were made by the Texas Boll Weevil
Eradication Foundation.
Mepiquat chloride applications included Pix at 8
oz/acre on July 3, and Pix at 14 oz/acre on July 14.
Varieties planted at this site included:
1. Paymaster 2145RR
2. Paymaster 2326RR
3. Paymaster 2156RR
4. Paymaster 2200RR
5. Paymaster 2280BG/RR
6. Paymaster 2167RR
7. Paymaster 2379RR
8. All-Tex Xpress RR
9. Stoneville 2454R
10. Stoneville BXN 16
11. FiberMax 819
12. Paymaster 280
13. Deltapine 2156
Location 2 – Cone (Crosby County)
Appling Farm, near Cone (Crosby County)
Reduced tillage following cotton
Irrigation: LEPA, circular rows
Plot Size: 8 40-inch rows/plot
Area:
Variable (0.8 to 1.6 acres/Plot), 3 replications of each variety
Planted: May
2, 2001 at 14 lb seed/acre
Harvest aid program: September 27 - 3 pt/acre
CottonQuik + 7 oz/acre Ginstar (no
follow-up Cyclone
application was required)
Harvested:
October 3, 2001
Blanket Weed Control Program: $5.00/acre, which consisted of spot spraying
of
Roundup Ultra across all
varieties on July 10.
Dominant weed species: pigweed, silverleaf
nightshade, morningglory, kochia
Specific herbicide systems costs included:
Conventional varieties: 1 pt/acre of Treflan was
applied preplant incorporated (rolling
cultivator) on April 27.
Roundup Ready varieties: 26 oz/acre Roundup UltraMax
+ 17 lb Strike Zone/100 gallons
of spray on June 6 over-the-top.
Post-directed application on Roundup Ready
varieties: Roundup UltraMax 26 oz/acre
+
ammonium sulfate (17 lb/100
gallons of spray solution) was applied using a Wylie applicator on July 2.
No mepiquat chloride plant growth regulators were
applied at this site.
Non-Roundup Ready varieties were cultivated two
times. Roundup Ready varieties were not
cultivated.
Hoe costs were negligible, as only a few weed
escapes were hand hoed.
No insecticides were applied to the project due to
lack of economic infestation levels.
This location was in an active boll weevil eradication zone, and several
boll weevil applications of Fyfanon (malathion) were made by the Texas Boll
Weevil Eradication Foundation.
Varieties planted at this site included:
1. Paymaster 2326RR
2. Paymaster 2326BG/RR
3. Paymaster 2200RR
4. Paymaster 2280BG/RR
5. Paymaster 2379RR
6. Paymaster 2266RR
7. Stoneville 2454R
8. FiberMax 989BG/RR
9. Paymaster HS26
10. Paymaster 280
11. FiberMax 989
12. FiberMax 958
13. FiberMax 5015
Location 3 – Tokio (Yoakum County)
Rickey Bearden Farm, Tokio (Yoakum County)
Clean-tillage following cotton
Irrigation: low elevation spray, straight rows
Plot Size: 12 40-inch rows/plot
Area:
Variable (1.1 to 2.2 acres/Plot), 3 replications of each variety
Planted: May
16, 2001 at 15 lb seed/acre
Harvest aid program: October 5 - 1pt/acre Finish 6 +
6 oz/acre Ginstar (follow-up
application of Cyclone Max
at 12 oz/acre was made on October 17)
Harvested:
October 26-27, 2001
Blanket Weed Control Program: $16.84/acre
Dominant weed species: silverleaf nightshade,
prairie sunflower, johnsongrass
A conventional herbicide program was used on all
varieties which included 1 pt/acre Treflan preplant incorporated on April 1,
Treflan at 4 oz/acre plus Caparol at 8 oz/acre on a 12-inch band over the row
at planting, and one blanket cultivation across all varieties. A spot-spray of Fusion for johnsongrass
control was made across all varieties on July 19 and 20.
Specific herbicide systems costs included:
Roundup Ready varieties: 26 oz/acre Roundup UltraMax
+ 17 lb of StrikeZone per 100
gallons of spray solution,
applied in 10 GPA on June 16 over-the-top.
Hoeing was required for all varieties. $19.00 in hoe costs were incurred for the
non-Roundup Ready types, and $6.00 per acre in hoe costs were incurred for the
Roundup Ready types.
No mepiquat chloride plant growth regulator
applications were made at this site.
Centric was applied by the cooperator at 1 oz/acre
($6.50/acre for chemical and application) for lygus and fleahopper control on
July 5. Two Fyfanon applications for
boll weevil control were made by the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication
Foundation.
Varieties planted at this site included:
1. Paymaster 2326RR
2. Paymaster 2326BG/RR
3. Paymaster 2200RR
4. Paymaster 2280BG/RR
5. Paymaster 2379RR
6. Paymaster 2266RR
7. All-Tex Atlas RR
8. Stoneville 2454R
9. Fiber Max 989BG/RR
10. Deltapine 237B
11. Paymaster HS26
12. AFD 2050
13. FiberMax 958
14. FiberMax 989
15. FiberMax 5015
Agronomic and economic results from the projects by variety are provided in Tables 1-9. Summaries of the systems costs and expenses by variety for each location are provided in Tables 10-12.
The early , mid-season, and late-season growth characteristics are presented in Table 1. Plant stands averaged about 94,000 plants/acre. Lowest stand counts were obtained with the
Paymaster 2167, All-Tex XpressRR, and Stoneville 2454R varieties, although
adequate stands were still obtained.
Some varieties exhibited significantly lower early-season plant height,
total nodes, and height to node ratio. No apparent trends were noted in
development among Roundup Ready, BXN, Bollgard, and stacked gene (Roundup Ready
with Bollgard) compared to conventional varieties. The node of first fruiting branch (NFFB) was higher for FiberMax
819 when compared to other varieties.
No significant differences were noted for early-season first position
fruit retention, early-season fruiting nodes, mid-season fruit retention, and
late-season nodes above white flower (NAWF) on two dates. Final plant height ranged from about 19 to
22 inches, and no significant differences were noted among varieties. Final total mainstem nodes ranged from 14
to nearly 17, and final height to node
ratios were not statistically different.
Commercial turnouts of harvested material ranged from 18.9% for All-Tex XpressRR to 26.0% for FiberMax 819 (Table 2). Bur cotton yields/acre ranged from 5837
lb/acre for PM 280 to 6938 lb/acre for Paymaster 2326RR. This resulted in lint yields ranging from
1154 lb/acre for All-Tex XpressRR to 1665 lb/acre for Paymaster 2167RR. Lint loan values derived from USDA-AMS classing results of the bales obtained in the project show that values ranged from $0.3884 for Paymaster 2145RR to $0.5089 for Paymaster 2326RR (Table 3). Loan value discounts were attributed to low
micronaire value, staple length, and strength for some varieties. After totaling lint and seed value per acre and subtracting out ginning costs and system-specific costs (Table 10), the net value per acre ranged from a low of $531.10/acre for All-Tex XpressRR to $750.66/acre for Paymaster 2379RR (Table 2), a difference of $219.56.
Within the statistical “upper tier” of net returns,
several varieties produced the same net value.
Two of the top 5 varieties were conventional types (FiberMax 819 and
Deltapine 2156). Paymaster 2379RR and
Paymaster 2326RR numerically produced the highest net returns at this
location. Stoneville BXN 16 variety and system produced significantly
lower net value per acre than some of the Roundup Ready varieties and the
conventional FiberMax 819. Many of the
transgenic Roundup Ready varieties competed very well with conventional
varieties in terms of overall economics of production at this site. The conventional okra-leaf FiberMax 819
produced similar net value when compared to Paymaster 2326RR, even though the
FiberMax 819 produced 136 lb/acre higher lint yield. The difference in net value between these varieties was due to
the approximately $0.05/lb difference in loan value due to the severe micronaire
discount for the FiberMax 819.
Early season agronomic data show that lower stand counts were noted for the Paymaster 2266RR variety when compared to others (Table 4), and varieties averaged about 37,000 plants/acre. Early season plant map data indicated that
only small differences in vigor were noted.
Node of first fruiting branch initiation was significantly higher for
the FiberMax picker varieties (958, 989, 989BG/RR) than most other types. Early season fruit retention also tended to
be greater for the FiberMax picker varieties.
By mid-season differences in fruit retention among varieties were not
observed. Small differences in NAWF on
two different dates were noted, with
High Plains stripper varieties exhibiting lower NAWF than some of the picker
types. FiberMax 5015 and FiberMax 989
produced significantly larger plants than most other varieties at the end of
the season. Final total nodes/plant
were higher for FiberMax 5015 and 958 than many other varieties.
Commercial turnouts ranged from 19.3% for FiberMax 989BG/RR to 23.1% for Stoneville 2454R (Table 5). Bur cotton yields ranged from 2372 for Paymaster 2200RR to 2856 lb/acre for FiberMax 989BG/RR. The lint yields ranged from 504 lb/acre for
Paymaster 2326RR to 594 lb/acre for FiberMax 989. Loan values were lowest for Paymaster 2379RR ($0.4114) and highest for FiberMax 989 ($0.5419) (Table 6). After calculating total value per acre and then subtracting ginning costs and systems costs (Table 11), net value/acre ranged from a low of $162.17 for Paymaster 2326BG/RR to a high of $287.29 for FiberMax 989, a difference of $125.12/acre. FiberMax 989 and 958
produced the highest net values/acre compared to other varieties.
Discounts for short staple and high micronaire contributed to lower loan
value for several varieties, and reduced the overall net value/acre. Four
additional varieties were in the second “tier” of significance, including
FiberMax 5015, FiberMax 989BG/RR, Paymaster HS26, and Paymaster 280. The only transgenic variety to place in the
top six ranking was FiberMax 989BG/RR, which exhibited medium yield, but
superior fiber properties. These data
indicate that five of the top six varieties in terms of net value were
conventional types.
Agronomic characteristics of varieties at this site are found in Table 7. Paymaster 2266RR
had a significantly lower stand count than all other varieties, which averaged
about 51,000 plants/acre. Only minor
differences were noted for early season plant height, with Paymaster 2200RR
having the largest plants. Early season
total node counts ranged from 8.4 for FiberMax 958 to 6.9 for Paymaster
2326RR. Two FiberMax picker varieties
(958 and 989) tended to have higher total nodes at this time. Early season height to node ratios indicated
significant, but minor differences among varieties. Node of first fruiting branch (NFFB) numbers indicated that the
FiberMax picker varieties (958, 989, 989BG/RR) initiated fruiting branches
later on the mainstem than did most other varieties. No differences were noted for early- or mid-season first position
fruit retention, or NAWF on July 24.
All varieties reached cutout by July 30, and only minor differences in
NAWF were observed at that time. Final
plant heights were not significantly
different among varieties. However,
final total node count was higher for conventional FiberMax varieties (5015,
958, and 989). Final height to node
ratio was not different.
Economic results for this site are presented in Table 8. Commercial turnouts ranged
from a low of 21.4% for Paymaster 2326RR and All-Tex AtlasRR to a high of 25.8%
for FiberMax 989BG/RR. Bur cotton
yields varied considerably from a low of 4323 lb/acre for Paymaster 2200RR to
5277 lb/acre for FiberMax 989BG/RR.
Lint yields ranged from 929 lb/acre for All-Tex AtlasRR to 1362 lb/acre
for FiberMax 989BG/RR. Loan values also
varied considerably from lows of $0.4907 and $0.5029 for Deltapine 237B and Paymaster 2379RR, respectively, to a high of $0.5546 for FiberMax 958 (Table 9). Both varieties from the Deltapine 2379 background (Deltapine 237B and
Paymaster 2379RR) produced high-micronaire fiber with severe discounts which
resulted in lower loan value. Paymaster
HS26 and Paymaster 2326RR also exhibited some high micronaire values in some
bales, which resulted in discounts.
Net value/acre after taking into consideration ginning costs and systems costs (Table 12) ranged from a low of $467.80 to a high of $704.40, a difference of $236.60/acre. FiberMax 989BG/RR produced significantly greater net value/acre than all
other varieties at this site. The next
“tier” of significance included FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, Stoneville 2454R,
Paymaster 2280BG/RR, and AFD 2050.
Therefore, of the top six varieties in terms of net value/acre at this
site, three were transgenic (FiberMax 989BG/RR, Stoneville 2454R and Paymaster
2280BG/RR) and three were conventional (FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, and AFD
2050).
Varieties containing the Bollgard gene at this
location produced higher net value/acre than their conventional or Roundup
Ready counterparts. Comparisons
include:
1. FiberMax
989BG/RR vs. FiberMax 989 = $92.49
2. Deltapine
237B vs. Paymaster 2379RR = $22.76
3. Paymaster
2280BG/RR vs. Paymaster 2200RR = $47.16
4. Paymaster
2326BG/RR vs. Paymaster 2326RR = $69.00.
There was an average of $57.85 benefit to varieties
with the Bollgard gene in similar genetic backgrounds. This advantage is thought to be due to
“sub-threshold” bollworm control, as low background populations of this
lepidopterous pest were noted in the trial during the growing season.
In the high-yielding environment at the Muleshoe
location, several varieties statistically produced the same net value. Two of the top 5 varieties were conventional
types (FiberMax 819 and Deltapine 2156).
Paymaster 2379RR and Paymaster 2326RR numerically produced the highest
net value. Stoneville BXN 16 variety
and system produced significantly lower net value per acre than some of the
Roundup Ready varieties and the conventional FiberMax 819. Many of the transgenic Roundup Ready
varieties competed very well with conventional varieties in terms of overall
economics of production. The
conventional okra-leaf FiberMax 819 produced similar net value when compared to
Paymaster 2326RR, even though the FiberMax 819 produced 136 lb/acre higher lint
yield. The difference in net value
between these two varieties was due to the approximately $0.05/lb difference in
loan value due to severe low-micronaire discount for the FiberMax 819.
In the lower-yielding environment at Cone, FiberMax
989 and FiberMax 958 produced the highest net values/acre compared to other
varieties. Discounts for short staple
and high micronaire contributed to lower loan value for several varieties, and
reduced the overall net value/acre. In the second “tier” of significance was
four additional varieties, including FiberMax 5015, FiberMax 989BG/RR,
Paymaster HS26, and Paymaster 280. The only transgenic variety to place in the
top six ranking for net value/acre was FiberMax 989BG/RR, which exhibited
medium yield, but superior fiber properties.
These data indicate that five of the top six varieties in terms of net
value were conventional types.
In the moderately high-yielding environment at
Tokio, FiberMax 989BG/RR produced significantly greater net value/acre than all
other varieties. The next “tier” of
significance included FiberMax 958 and FiberMax 989, Stoneville 2454R,
Paymaster 2280BG/RR, and AFD 2050.
Therefore, of the top six varieties in terms of net value/acre at this
site, three were transgenic (FiberMax 989BG/RR, Stoneville 2454R and Paymaster
2280BG/RR) and three were conventional (FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, and AFD
2050). There was an average of $57.85
benefit to varieties with the Bollgard gene in similar genetic
backgrounds. This advantage is thought
to be due to “sub-threshold” bollworm control, as low background populations of
this lepidopterous pest were noted in the trial during the growing season.
Results from the 2001 production season at three
varying locations in the Texas High Plains indicate that some transgenic
Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready/Bollgard stacked gene varieties can be
competitive with standard conventional varieties in terms of production
economics. However, at one lower-yielding location, conventional
varieties produced the highest net values/acre. The value of the Bollgard gene for “sub-threshold” bollworm
control was apparently documented at one site which encountered some chronic
low populations of that insect pest.
FiberMax picker varieties were consistent top performers in terms of net
value/acre. These data indicate that
substantial differences can be obtained in terms of net value/acre due to
variety selection. The differences in
net value when comparing the top and bottom varieties were $219, $125, and
$236/acre for Muleshoe, Cone, and Tokio, respectively.
It should be noted that no inclement weather was
encountered in these trials prior to harvest.
High intensity rainfall and/or high wind events were not experienced to
potentially cause pre-harvest losses with the open boll picker-type varieties
(FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, FiberMax 989BG/RR) or the lesser-stormproof
stripper types (Stoneville 2454R and Stoneville BXN 16). Producers should take note that the harvest
period optimum encountered in 2001 is not considered “normal” for the Texas
High Plains. Additional multi-site and
multi-year applied research is needed to evaluate varieties across a series of
environments.
The authors thank the following for their
support.
Plains Cotton Growers – Plains Cotton Improvement
Program and Cotton Incorporated for funding
Producer-cooperators:
Mr. David Appling
Mr. Mark Appling
Mr. Rickey Bearden
Mr. James Brown
Gins:
Tokio Co-op Gin, Tokio
Muleshoe Co-op Gin, Muleshoe
Associated Cotton Growers,
Crosbyton
Companies:
AFD
Levelland Delinting- All-Tex
Aventis Crop Science
Delta and Pine Land /
Paymaster
Griffin
Monsanto
Stoneville Texas
Syngenta
Texas Cooperative Extension Agents:
Mr.
Curtis Preston, CEA-Ag, Bailey County
Mr.
Cody Hill, CEA-Ag, Parmer County
Mr.
Steve Young, CEA-Ag, Crosby County
Mr.
Steve Davis, EA-IPM, Crosby/Floyd Counties
Mr.
Arlan Gentry, CEA-Ag, Yoakum County
Mr.
Jerry Warren, CEA-Ag, Terry County
Mr.
Scott Russell, EA-IPM, Terry/Yoakum Counties
Student Workers:
Mr. Bryan Hawkins
Mr. Clay Ashley
Mr. Jason Jarrell
Mr. Corey Lowrance
Texas Agricultural Experiment Station:
Dr. John Gannaway