ThryvOn Trait Earning Justified Anticipation
October 31, 2022 
Photo: Jim Steadman
The long-discussed and anticipated entry of Bayer’s ThryvOn insect technology is imminent. Several years of research and field testing at the company, university, and grower levels have demonstrated the advantages of the technology, which will be added to new cotton varieties in a B3TXF stack with the Bollgard 3 and XtendFlex traits.
Market launch details are still in development, awaiting final regulatory approvals for the stacked trait technology. But stewarded availability of the ThryvOn varieties is likely for 2023. Watch for final details to come.
During a recent Bayer ThryvOn field event in Scott, MS, three Extension entomologists — Whitney Crow with Mississippi State University, Scott Graham with Auburn University, and Sebe Brown with University of Tennessee — sat down to share their opinions of the technology’s fit and value during an interview for the Cotton Companion podcast. Here’s some of what they had to say.
Whitney Crow
“I think the biggest thing is just being open minded to this technology, because it is different than what we’re traditionally used to. From a thrips standpoint in Mississippi, it looks really good. It may be a bit uncomfortable to see thrips enjoying the field, but there’s not currently a need to make a foliar application, because that damage is so minimal.
“To get the true benefit for plant bugs, it’s really critical to spray on that recommended threshold so we can hopefully eliminate one to two insecticide applications. We’re still going to scout it and treat it similarly to traditional systems. It’s just a little bit of a mindset shift, especially in the Mississippi Delta where growers are used to being in the field two times a week and making quick applications.
“We have to learn how to take care of this technology in order to get the true benefit from it.”
Scott Graham
“We give it two thumbs up in Alabama. We don’t anticipate any need for foliar supplemental sprays for thrips. There may be some hidden benefits when we shift later in the season into the plant bug window. We’re getting thrips and protection from plant bugs, which are in no way related at all.
“What we see is delayed development of the population as it grows from one growth stage to the next growth stage. It’s taking them a longer period of time to mature, and when we delay their development, they’re doing less damage.
“If I’m a grower, I’d plant ThryvOn cotton in the situations where I need the most thrips benefit.”
Sebe Brown
“A lot of growers I spoke with over the year planted their ThryvOn study next to non-ThryvOn, and said it was a night and day difference. It’s the same thing I’ve seen in my plots, and I’ve looked at ThryvOn for over five years now.
“It’ll be a very useful tool for those growers in my geography where thrips are a yearly concern for cotton, especially if this cold, wet trend at planting seems to hold. It’s going to change a lot of things in our geography, and there are going to be some changes with us as entomologists and how we recommend management of this crop going forward. It’s going to take a shift in management techniques — – not a major shift, but it’s going to take some education on our part to help educate in reverse.”
There’s a lot more where that came from. To listen to the entire interview, select Episode 128 of the Cotton Companion podcast, available at CottonGrower.com/Podcasts or wherever you download your favorite podcast.
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