Search Begins for Deltapine Class of 17

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Nearly 200 growers will be evaluating seven new Bollgard II XtendFlex (B2XF) cotton variety candidates this year for the Deltapine Class of 17, as the Deltapine New Product Evaluator (NPE) Program begins its ninth season.

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Three of those varieties also offer resistance to root-knot nematodes (RKN).

“Each new class of Deltapine cotton varieties has resulted in improved yield potential, better fiber quality and agronomic solutions for growers all across the Cotton Belt,” said Keylon Gholston, Deltapine cotton product manager. “From what we’ve seen so far, the variety candidates being evaluated for the Deltapine Class of 17 will continue this trend.”

According to a company release, the lineup of variety candidates includes initial crosses of new, elite germplasm getting their first-ever test on commercial farms. In previous seasons of breeding and company testing, these lines demonstrated outstanding performance in yield and fiber quality. The variety candidates range from early-season to full-season in maturity and target multiple growing regions from the Southwest to the Carolinas.

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Putting the Best of Both Worlds Together

Continuing its efforts to bring solutions for healthy cotton to the market, Deltapine is also evaluating three Bollgard II XtendFlex NR (nematode resistance) lines – varieties that are resistant to RKN. Deltapine currently offers two commercial NR varieties in its product portfolio that have performed well in both RKN and non-RKN environments. The three new lines being evaluated offer the same protection against RKN, but with higher yield potential and the latest weed control technology.

As part of the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System, these varieties are tolerant to three different herbicide modes of action – dicamba, glyphosate and glufosinate. In 2016, growers will again be able to use Roundup brand agricultural herbicides containing glyphosate only and Liberty herbicide (glufosinate) with all B2XF varieties, while over-the-top use of dicamba awaits regulatory approval from the Environmental Protection Agency.

Even without dicamba, growers can continue to efficiently manage weeds and maximize their yield opportunity with other herbicides through the recommendations and incentives provided by Roundup Ready PLUS Crop Management Solutions.

While no pre-plant or in-crop use of dicamba is currently approved, some dicamba products may be labeled for weed control prior to planting a crop and subject to minimum plant back restrictions specified on product labels.

Growers are asked to remember that it is a violation of federal and state law to use any herbicide inconsistent with its labeling, and specifically to make an in-crop application of any dicamba herbicide product on Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton or Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans unless the product labeling specifically authorizes the use.

Today, NPE-proven varieties are planted on more U.S. cotton acres than any other seed brand.

“The status of ‘NPE-proven’ carries weight with growers who are not involved in the NPE Program, as evidenced by many non-NPE growers now planting large portions of their acreage to new Deltapine varieties, and the rapid adoption of Bollgard II XtendFlex varieties in their first year on the market,” said Gholston.

“Many have either talked with an NPE grower or have heard about an NPE grower’s experience with variety candidates from their gin, seed dealer or neighbor. Those conversations have resulted in more and more growers turning to Deltapine varieties to maximize production.”

 

Source – Deltapine

 

 

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