The Power of Innovation: Shaping the Future of Cottonseed
BASF Cotton Solutions for Texas – Sustainability
The 1990s were a decade of change and innovation, from technological advancements to new film techniques and cultural moments that altered the course of history. Text messaging was invented, “Jurassic Park” paved the way for new digital techniques on the screen, DVDs were introduced, and the internet took the world by storm. Not only was innovation happening culturally, but there was a revolution within agriculture with the development of genetically modified seed.
In 1996, Texas cotton growers were wowed by the commercial introduction of Bollgard® and Roundup Ready® cotton varieties. That same year, what began as a new and novel germplasm in Australia made its way nearly 10,000 miles across the Pacific Ocean to become the catalyst for the FiberMax® cotton legacy, giving one company new opportunities in the state.
“I was fortunate to have sold the first FiberMax branded bags in the U.S.,” says Mark Kelling, Southwest Area Manager at BASF. “I remember unloading those bags off the truck, seeing the pallets come down and thinking to myself how these better perform. Our reputation was on
the line.”
Initial trials of this new seed outpaced expectations with increased yield, excellent performance, and premium quality. The new seed all but named itself with its maximum yield and fiber quality.
Introducing: FiberMax Cotton
Five conventional variety lines launched in 1998: four normal-leaf and one okra-leaf.
“Our okra-leaf variety was a walking billboard,” Kelling says . “You didn’t have to post any field signs. Growers knew exactly who was planting FiberMax seed, and it offered characteristics growers in South Texas really liked. They were drought tolerant, didn’t attract insects, and performed extremely well. It was some of the highest premium-quality lint in the market.”
Not only were growers seeing the difference in their fields, but heads were also turning at the cotton gins. When gins processed lint from FiberMax cotton growers, they reported efficiencies in their ginning equipment and were able to run bales in a shorter amount of time. And then the cotton mills began to recognize that the stronger fiber cut down on waste. FiberMax cotton was a win for everyone — growers were seeing more yield, and gins and mills were more efficient and profitable.
“Between growers, gins, and custom harvesters who noticed yield distinctions, word of FiberMax cotton spread like wildfire in its first year of production,” Kelling says .
At the time, the team was only selling conventional cotton, and field reps were wondering how successful it would be in the market without traits like Bollgard and Roundup Ready cotton varieties that offered insect and weed control. Fortunately, they sold through that season and the cotton continued to yield well. But the team knew they needed more to help their growers stay competitive in production and quality.
The Next Evolution
Five years after the launch of FiberMax® cotton in the Texas market, the team received approval to add Bollgard and Roundup Ready traits to the FiberMax cotton varieties. This new technology took FiberMax cotton to the next level and started the chain that enabled innovation for the years to come.
- 2004: LibertyLink® technology launched, allowing Liberty® herbicide to be sprayed over top.
- 2006: The FiberMax One-Ton Club™ was created to recognize the growers who were producing more than 2,000 lb. of cotton. It’s now grown to include well over 1,000 members.
- 2010: The first stacked proprietary traits in GlyTol® LibertyLink technology became available to enable both nonselective and selective herbicide modes of action.
- 2014: TwinLink® technology, a proprietary insect trait, was launched.
- 2017: TwinLink Plus-enabled triple-stack technology added a pest protection upgrade alongside weed protection.
- 2022: FiberMax cotton seed celebrated its 25th anniversary.
“FiberMax cottonseed set a new standard of production in Texas,” Kelling says. “It’s what allows the growers in this market to compete in a global market. Every time we release a new variety, we make sure it exceeds the performance of the previous one. We have one of the most diverse germplasm pools in the industry, and we’re excited about what’s to come because we know it’s only going outperform what we currently have on
the market.”
The Future of Cottonseed
Axant™ Flex herbicide tolerance technology, to be introduced in 2024, will not only raise the bar, but establish a new one completely. Justin Jones, Cotton Marketing Manager at BASF, says, “This trait has been a long time coming — over 15 years in the making, to be exact.”
“The growers are at the root of it all,” Jones says. “They’re facing these challenges in the field every day, and weed control isn’t working as well as it has been historically. They need better protection from nematodes, they need better protection from diseases, and they need better tools to kill weeds. The growers gave us this idea by telling us what they are looking for in the field, and our team of breeders and scientists have been working diligently since then to develop it.”
In today’s market, yield is the table stakes. If the seed isn’t on par with yield production, growers are at a loss from the start. However, it’s the seed qualities beyond yield performance that make it stand out. With FiberMax cotton, Jones says, “Its distinguished disease tolerance and exceptional fiber quality, among other characteristics, set it apart in the marketplace.” Axant™ Flex technology brings new herbicide tolerance technology, with existing traits growers are familiar with, to FiberMax varieties, all in one tiny seed.
Tolerance to isoxaflutole, such as Alite™ 27 herbicide (which is pending regulatory approval for use with cotton), is the unique trait that will enable the fourth stack of the Axant trait, making it the first trait-enabled residual herbicide ever in the market for cottonseed, helping growers to start clean — and stay clean — through the season.
Not only does the Axant technology offer herbicide tolerance, but it helps growers who need to address the increased nematode pressure with root-knot and reniform nematode tolerance. The small seed is packed with robust agronomic characteristics that showcase the new germplasm line.
“This is the next step in our innovation story — the next of more innovation to come,” says Jones. “We’re looking at other potential chemistries in the pipeline that could be enabled with Axant Flex technology. This is just the here and now, the 2024 look. Our trait pipeline is fully stacked with other insect and weed tolerances, so this is really the springboard for what’s to come from BASF cottonseed, and we’re really excited for the future.”
To learn more about the BASF cottonseed portfolio, visit FiberMax.com and Axant-Flex.com or speak to your local BASF representative.
Alite 27 herbicide (EPA Reg. No. 7969-433) is not registered for use on isoxaflutole-tolerant cotton nor available for sale for such use. Information on using
Alite 27 herbicide on isoxaflutole-tolerant cotton is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to promote the sale of this product. Any sale of Alite 27 herbicide after registration is obtained for use on isoxaflutole-tolerant cotton shall be based solely on the EPA-approved product label, and any claims regarding product safety and efficacy shall be addressed solely by the label.
Always read and follow label directions.
FiberMax, GlyTol, Liberty, LibertyLink, Stoneville and TwinLink are registered trademarks and Alite and Axant are trademarks of BASF. All other copyrights and trademarks are the property of their respective owners and use of any such trademarks and copyrights do not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by its owner.
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