ABSTRACT

A new, mid-full season picker variety with high yield potential, DP 555 BG/RR, is being introduced by Delta and Pine Land Company in the 2003 season. Having a DeltaPEARL background and the Bollgard®and Roundup Ready® transgenic traits, DP 555 BG/RR was developed by Richard Leske at the Deltapine Australia research facility. DP 555 BG/RR has produced more lint per acre than other key mid-full Bollgard®/Roundup Ready® varieties commercially available in nearly all areas of the Cotton Belt. Fiber quality of DP 555 BG/RR was very similar to that of DP 458 B/RR, with similar staple length, leaf grade, and uniformity index, 1 g/tex weaker strength, but 0.14 micronaire units lower than DP 458 B/RR, when averaged across the cotton belt. DP 555 BG/RR has a very tall growth habit, but growth has been effectively regulated with mepiquat chloride in many different environments across the Cotton Belt. DP 555 BG/RR has produced more gross revenue per acre than other key competitors in the regions of the Cotton Belt where mid-full season varieties have traditionally been produced. Adequate supplies of DP 555 BG/RR are expected for the 2003 growing season.