ABSTRACT

Representative non-transgenic, and transgenic Roundup Ready^®, BXN^®,, Bollgard^®,, and Roundup Ready plusBollgard cotton cultivars, were planted at the Northeast Research and Extension Center (Keiser, AR) and the Southeast Branch Experiment Station (Rohwer, AR) in 2001, 2002 and 2003. All plots were managed to maximize yields by utilizing the genetic capabilities for each cultivar. The results show a trend for the highest yielding cultivars to produce the greatest net returns. However, in instances where yield differences were relatively small, costs determined profitability. At Keiser, the Roundup Ready system was the least expensive in all three years. At Rohwer, the Roundup Ready system was the most cost effective in 2001 and 2003, while the non-transgenic system was the least costly in 2002. The Bollgard system was not a cost effective means of insect control at either location in any year. However, high yields with some of the Bollgard cultivars produces high gross returns and made these systems profitable No clear indication of one cotton production system being more economical than another was observed.