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Loss of Apical Dominance in DP 444 BG/RR: Effect on Yield, Fiber Quality, and Maturity

Ken E. Lege’, Tom A. Kerby, David W. Albers, Tom R. Speed, and Kevin D. Howard

ABSTRACT

Field observations in 2002 suggested a consistent incidence of plants lacking apical dominance (‘split terminal plants’) in DP 444 BG/RR, a new early-maturing variety from Delta and Pine Land Company. We collected data across the U.S. cotton belt in 2002 and 2003 to determine the incidence of split terminal plants in DP 444 BG/RR, as well as to determine the effect on yield contribution, fiber properties, and maturity. The loss of apical dominance occurred in about 24% of the plants of DP 444 BG/RR over two years. The application of glyphosate over-the-top did not influence the incidence of split terminals in this variety. The breadth, consistent timing and incidence of split terminal plants across a wide geographic area over two years strongly suggest that insect injury was not likely responsible for this phenomenon. However, insect or other physical injury could add to the average level of plants exhibiting loss of apical dominance. Split terminal plants contributed equally to crop yield, and did not influence any of the fiber properties. Split terminal plants had significantly fewer total nodes and significantly fewer fruiting nodes, but averaged 2.2 well developed monopodia per plant. Flower initiation was significantly delayed an average of 1.4 nodes in split terminal plants of DP 444 BG/RR, but final maturity was not delayed. Our data suggest that the occurrence of split terminal plants in DP 444 BG/RR did not alter the manner in which the variety should be managed for glyphosate applications, insect control, or harvest aid applications relative to other early-maturing varieties.





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Document last modified 04/27/04