Seed companies evaluate new cottons for 2009
Oct 17, 2008 9:44 AM,
Compiled by Elton Robinson
Farm Press Editorial Staff
Mergers and acquisitions involving several seed companies in 2007 are behind us now, but numerous challenges still lie ahead for cost-conscious cotton producers, who are demanding high-yield, high-quality varieties that perform across a wide range of environmental conditions and stresses.
The list of new varieties below is not complete, as several seed companies are still in the process of evaluating experimental lines for release in 2009. The descriptions of the varieties below are provided by seed companies. Some varieties included are in a second year of release and/or may have only been offered in introductory quantities.
Deltapine
In 2009, Deltapine’s two new cotton varieties, DP 0924 B2RF and DP 0935 B2RF, begin a new naming system. Each product will have four numbers in the name. The first two numbers signify the year of commercialization, and the second two numbers indicate maturity based on the following scale: 10-20, early; 20-30, early-mid; 30-40, mid; 40-50, mid-full; and 50-60, full. Visit www.deltapine.com for more information.
DP 0924 B2RF — An early-mid maturity, semi-smooth leaf variety with a medium plant height. It is very well adapted to the upper Mid-South and upper Southeast growing regions. Consistent high yield potential. Gin turnout, 40.6 percent.
DP 0935 B2RF — A mid-maturity, smooth leaf variety with consistent high yield potential. Performs well across a wide range of soils and management techniques. Nectariless trait for plant bug suppression. Good overall fiber quality. Gin turnout, 39.3 percent.
PhytoGen
PhytoGen’s WideStrike cotton contains a unique two-gene Bt for season-long protection against a broad spectrum of yield-robbing worms. This combination offers a convenient and economical approach to effectively manage important cotton pests. Find data specific to your area at www.PhytoGenYields.com, or call (800) 258-3033 for more information.
New varieties for 2009 include:
PHY 485 WRF — WideStrike and Roundup Ready Flex stacked variety with early- to mid-maturity and broad adaptation. Very good to excellent fiber quality and grades.
PHY 375 WRF — An early maturity, WideStrike and Roundup Ready Flex stacked variety with excellent vigor, broad adaptation, high yield potential and very good to excellent fiber quality. This variety is in its second year of release.
Dyna-Gro is a proprietary seed brand offered by Loveland Products, Inc. and sold to farm customers through both UAP distribution retail locations and through other seed retailers that desire to market this premier brand of seed. Visit www.dynagroseed.com for more information. Here’s what’s new for 2009:
DG 2400 RF — A new Roundup Ready Flex only variety shown to have excellent seedling vigor, a medium-tall plant height, early-medium maturity, and has broad adaptability with excellent yield potential and fiber quality characteristics throughout most of the cotton growing areas in the United States. This smooth leaf variety particularly offers advantages in fiber length and strength for its maturity group.
The following companies have not yet announced new varieties for 2009, but are offering these varieties in a second year of release.
Americot, Inc., headquartered in Lubbock, Texas, provides Southwest, Mid-South and Southeast cotton growers with Americot and NexGen brand cottons. For more information on Americot cotton products, go to www.americot.com. The following varieties are in their second year of release.
AM 1550 B2RF — Targeted for the North Mississippi River Delta area growers. This Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex cotton has been in breeder trials in 46 locations for the last two years and it finished as the No. 1 yielder in Tennessee, north Arkansas and Missouri, averaging 1,400 pounds per acre. It is earlier in maturity than AM 1532 B2RF and is a semi-smooth leaf cotton. Its average staple length is 35.6; strength, 27.5; and micronaire, 4.5.
AM 1532 B2RF — Offers an excellent fiber package and yield potential. AM 1532 B2RF is widely adapted and performs well in the Mid-South. Well-suited for irrigated, high input acres, medium maturing. Staple, 36-38 staple, micronaire, 3.6-4.5 and strength, 26-29.
Bayer CropScience is evaluating several experimental varieties for 2009 release through its cotton agronomic performance (CAP) trials at 140 locations around the Cotton Belt. These varieties include LibertyLink/Bollgard II and Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex varieties, which could be released as either a FiberMax or Stoneville variety. Evaluation of CAP, official variety trials, and breeder trial data will determine if an experimental variety will be released for 2009 planting. Newly released varieties will be available in limited quantities.
Bayer CropScience says it expects to receive EPA approval for its new GlyTol glyphosate-tolerant trait in time for the 2009 growing season. Plants with the trait are resistant to glyphosate, although its uses a different gene and promoter than other company’s traits. Bayer expects to release varieties with the GlyTol trait in 2009 for the Southwest. The following Stoneville varieties are in their second year of release.
ST 4498B2RF — An early to mid-maturity Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex product that provides excellent yield potential and fiber-quality characteristics. It has excellent early season vigor for rapid and consistent stands. It features medium height, compact shape and is responsive to plant growth regulator.
ST 5458B2RF — A mid-maturity Bollgard II/Roundup Ready Flex product that produces yield and fiber quality packages similar to ST 4554B2RF, but matures about one week later. Plant height should be monitored and controlled with plant growth regulator.
Croplan Genetics is the proprietary brand of the farmer-owned, full-line seed division of Land O’Lakes, Inc., marketing in more than 40 states. Its seed division touts 25 varieties of alfalfa seed, 201 corn hybrids, 146 varieties of soybean seed, and a large variety of canola, sunflower, forage, wheat and cotton seeds. For more information, go to www.croplangenetics.com. The following varieties are in their second year of release.
CG 3220B2RF — An early- to mid-maturity, smooth to semi-smooth leaf picker variety with excellent yield potential and premium fiber quality to better help U.S. cotton growers market their fiber in base international and high-end domestic markets. This variety will come stacked with Bollgard II and Roundup Ready Flex. This variety is broadly adapted across soil types in dryland and irrigated systems. Fiber quality: micronaire 4.4; staple 36.7; strength 28.8.
CG 3035RF — An early- to mid-maturity, smooth to semi-smooth leaf picker variety with excellent yield potential and premium fiber quality to better help U.S. cotton growers market their fiber in base international and high-end domestic markets. This variety comes with Roundup Ready Flex. This variety is broadly adapted across soil types in dryland and low-irrigated systems. Fiber quality: micronaire 4.5; staple 35.8; strength 29.2.
