Improved fiber quality, stable high-yield performance and a better weed control system are among the solutions being brought to market with four new Deltapine Class of 16 cotton varieties.
Announced on Dec. 12 to more than 140 farmers at the 2015 New Product Evaluator Summit in San Antonio, Texas, the new cotton varieties were proven to perform by NPE farmers, who grew them in large-acre plots under their own management systems. “These four Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton varieties raise the bar on yield and fiber quality potential,” says Keylon Gholston, Deltapine product manager.
DP 1646 B2XF
DP 1646 B2XF is similar to DP 1050 B2RF and broadly adapted to full-season markets in the Southeast, Mid-South and Texas. In 2015 testing, DP 1646 B2XF showed yield potential equal to, or greater than, all top check varieties. In high-stress environments and low-stress situations, it outperformed existing commercial varieties. In testing at 50 sites in the lower Mid-South and lower Southeast, DP 1646 B2RF averaged 100 pounds per acre more than PHY 499 WRF.
“It was by far the best cotton in our NPE trial, averaging 1,518 pounds per acre,” says Rodney Dawson of Hawkinsville, Ga. “It had an average loan of 51.47 cents. Micronaire was 4.6. The staple was 38. The strength was 29.40. Uniformity was 80.5.”
DP 1639 B2XF
This new mid-maturity variety travels well across soil types and growing regions with improved fiber quality performance over DP 1538 B2XF. When planted on high-production soil types with good irrigation, DP 1639 B2XF may require aggressive PGR management. It has demonstrated stable yield performance.
“I like the way it came up and the way it grew off,” says Jack Huerkamp of Macon, Miss. “It averaged 1,721 pounds per acre. It also graded well.”
DP 1614 B2XF
Across 77 testing locations, DP 1614 B2XF yielded on par with DP 1522 B2XF, but delivered much better quality overall, including better staple and length. It also delivered better fiber quality than popular early maturity competitor varieties. It has a maturity similar to DP 0912 B2RF and adapts well to a wide range of soil types. It demonstrated outstanding yield potential in NPE trials.
DP 1614 B2XF averaged 1,358 pounds per acre, beating DP 1518 B2XF by an average of 150 pounds per acre in NPE plots managed by Pace Hindsley of Marvell, Ark. “DP 1614 B2XF has huge potential,” he says. “I am as excited about cotton production as I have ever been.”
DP 1612 B2XF
DP 1612 B2XF showed stable, high-end yield performance in NPE plots and other testing in 2015. Its best fit appears to be the Texas High Plains, especially north of Lubbock, where it won yield tests in irrigated and dryland conditions. It also performed well in the Mid-South, has a large seed size and excellent seedling vigor, and responds well to PGR management.
“It yielded 2,052 pounds per acre under pivot irrigation at an altitude of 3,700 feet,” says Greg Martin of Brownfield, Texas.
“The cotton went into the loan at 56.6 cents and delivered outstanding fiber quality, with good staple and length. It also has Bollgard II XtendFlex (cotton technology), which we need for more efficient weed control. Once approved, the use of dicamba will be another tool to help control resistant weeds.”
The Deltapine Class of 16 varieties represent improvements in yield and fiber quality potential and include Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton technology that, upon regulatory approvals, will allow three modes of action over the top for a more flexible and reliable weed management program.
Deltapine contributed this article.