Field Performance of Transgenic Bt Cotton in Multiple Locations Across the Belt

T. Kerby, T. Wofford, J. Presley, J. Thomas, M. Bates, and J. Burgess


 
ABSTRACT

Cultivars with the Bollgard(TM ) gene (NuCOTN) were compared to the recurrent parents from which they were derived at multiple locations from North Carolina to Texas. Plant map data collected during the growing season demonstrated that NuCOTN growth and development was essentially the same as the recurrent parents. NuCOTN cultivars demonstrated increased boll retention over commercial lepidopteran sprays and slightly greater final plant height. This suggests vigor of NuCOTN cultivars was high since both boll set and plant height was increased. NuCOTN cultivars had maturity dates that were identical to that of the recurrent parents. Micronaire and lint percentage of NuCOTN cultivars were reduced compared to the recurrent parents. Other fiber quality comparisons were similar. Translating fiber quality into the loan chart value demonstrated NuCOTN cultivars had a value that was 54.0 cents per pound compared to 53.6 for the recurrent parents. This was not significantly different. Yield was reduced an average of 128 lbs/A lint when no lepidopteran control was used for the recurrent parents. NuCOTN cultivars (100 percent of the plants carrying the Bollgard(TM) gene) without lepidopteran sprays increased yields an average of 97 lbs/A over the commercial lepidopteran spray treatments. Yield improvement was slightly greater under moderate and high lepidopteran pressure, but still averaged 84 lbs/A greater under low lepidopteran pressure.



Reprinted from 1995 Proceedings Beltwide Cotton Conference pg. 574
©National Cotton Council, Memphis TN

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Document last modified Sunday, Dec 6 1998