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Introduction to Two Newly Recognized Disorders of Cotton - Bronze Wilt and Seed Rot

Robert Loring Nichols


 
ABSTRACT

Bronze Wilt and Seed Rot are ad hoc terms that have been widely used by growers, consultants, researchers, the agricultural media, and litigants to describe cotton plants exhibiting symptoms suggested by the names themselves. Neither condition is formally described as a disease, because in neither case has a cause been definitively demonstrated. Both disorders have caused economic losses to growers, in yield losses and litigation; and to planting seed companies in litigation, settlements, and withdrawal of commercialized varieties from the market. To avert further losses, the cotton industry must focus resources to describe the disorders as unique constellations of symptoms, and conduct research programs directed to conclusively identifying the cause of the disorders, thereby formally describing them as diseases, if such is merited. When these objectives are accomplished, researchers may then proceed to screen for susceptible germplasm and to develop disease management programs, as may be appropriate.





Reprinted from Proceedings of the 2001 Beltwide Cotton Conferences pp. 104 - 104
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified XXXXXX, XXX XX 2001