ABSTRACT

Four new FiberMax varieties will be introduced by Bayer CropScience, two Bollgard/Roundup Ready® and two Roundup Ready® conversions developed in cooperation with CSIRO. FM 800BR and FM 800R okra-leaf varieties were selected from within a backcross population of a FM 832 relative and have similar adaptation in the USA to FM 832. FM 960BR and FM 960R are medium/early season normal-leaf varieties selected from a backcross population of the same genetic family as FM 958 and FM 966. Performance of FM 800BR shows improved yield and equivalent fiber quality to FM 832 and performance of FM 800R in limited testing shows similar yield and equivalent to reduced fiber length compared to FM 832. FM 960BR shows an average improvement in yield over FM 958 and FM 966, reduced fiber length compared to FM 966, and equivalent to improved fiber strength over both related conventional varieties. FM 960R in limited testing shows similar yield and equivalent fiber quality to FM 966 and FM 958.