ABSTRACT

A study was performed in the Brazos Bottom cotton growing region of Texas near College Station in 2002. Two cultivars, DP 555 BG/RR and SG 215 BG/RR, were monitored at one site looking at different growth parameters (plant height, total nodes, maximum internode distance (MID) between the 4^th and 5^th internode, and nodes above white flower (NAWF)). At an additional site DP 458 B/RR was monitored along with DP 555 BG/RR and SG 215 BG/RR looking at the same growth parameters. At both test sites DP 555 BG/RR had a taller final plant height than the other two cultivars. This height difference was modest early in the growing season but became more apparent during the early and late blooming cotton growth stages. DP 555 BG/RR exhibited a strong growth pattern at both locations in comparison to SG 215 BG/RR and DP 458 B/RR as further evidenced by a longer MID and higher NAWF number during the early and late blooming period. DP 555 BG/RR had more total nodes than SG 215 BG/RR and DP 458 B/RR at both locations tested. Each site tested had adequate mepiquat chloride (MC) concentrations in the DP 555 BG/RR plants to suggest full plant responses to the growth regulator.