Marking the 10th year of the New Product Evaluator Program, Deltapine cotton recently announced the addition of seven new varieties to its lineup. The roster includes the full commercial launch of five Bollgard 3 XtendFlex cotton varieties as part of the Class of 18.
These were tested and proven to perform at a high level by select farmers participating in the program from across the Cotton Belt.
Next-Generation Worm Control
“This 10th NPE Program class is significant, as it marks the full commercial launch of the first Deltapine Bollgard 3 XtendFlex cotton varieties,” says Keylon Gholston, Deltapine cotton product manager. “These varieties are unique because they combine the highest performing genetics with the best weed control and next-generation worm control technologies.”
Bollgard 3 contains the Vip3A protein, which provides a third mode of action in addition to the Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab Bt proteins in Genuity Bollgard II technology.
The introduction provides producers with three unique proteins and modes of action, helping deliver better insect control while increasing the longevity of the technology. Cotton with XtendFlex technology is tolerant to glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba, which provides added flexibility to apply multiple combinations of these three herbicides pre- and/or post-plant for an effective weed management system.
Farmers Give Thumbs-Up
“These new varieties are providing a combination of high yield and good fiber quality,” says Brian Hlavinka, a 10-year NPE farmer from East Bernard, Texas.
He planted two Bollgard 3 varieties this past season — DP 1835 B3XF and DP 1845 B3XF.
“In the 10 years of the NPE Program, we’ve seen varieties getting better and better, and this Class of 18 fits right into that trend, including providing better worm and weed control, through Bollgard 3 and XtendFlex technologies.”
Another 10-year NPE grower, Johnny Griffin of Lewiston Woodville, North Carolina, agrees the Deltapine Class of 18 varieties fit with the high-yielding, premium fiber quality products commercialized through the program over the past few years, such as DP 1646 B2XF.
“The varieties we planted compared favorably to DP 1646 B2XF and had excellent micronaire, high strength, a long staple length and good uniformity,” says Griffin, who evaluated both DP 1820 B3XF and DP 1835 B3XF in his NPE plot this past season. “It’s also important to have a tool like Bollgard 3 available because of the worm pressure we’ve had in recent years.”
The Deltapine Class of 18 varieties will be available for the 2018 planting season.
Deltapine contributed this article.