Latest in-plant innovations maximize variety, farmland potential
Feb 08 2021
The first varieties providing resistance to reniform nematodes were recently released by PhytoGen® cottonseed, the U.S. cottonseed brand of Corteva Agriscience. Stacked with the PhytoGen Breeding Trait™ for root-knot nematode (RKN) resistance, these two varieties deliver the best in-plant nematode protection package in the cottonseed market.
“The introduction of reniform nematode resistance marks another significant milestone toward protecting the exceptional yield potential of PhytoGen varieties,” said Joel Faircloth, U.S. cotton portfolio manager for PhytoGen cottonseed. “While our varieties are advanced primarily on yield potential, our breeding team continually incorporates yield-stabilizing traits into those elite genetics.”
PhytoGen brand PHY 332 W3FE is an early midmaturing variety that has exceptional yield potential with excellent fiber quality. PhytoGen brand PHY 443 W3FE is a midmaturing, very broadly adapted, taller plant with strong yield potential and great fiber quality. In addition to resistance to reniform and root-knot nematodes, these 2021 varieties are resistant to bacterial blight, providing a new solution for pest-ridden farms.
“In the early ’90s, our senior cotton breeder wrote his doctoral dissertation on developing a reniform-nematode-resistant trait in cotton. His life work has now come to fruition,” said PhytoGen Cotton Development Specialist Scott Fuchs.
Fuchs and the entire team of cotton development specialists work closely with PhytoGen breeders testing varieties in the field under real-world conditions. Fuchs’ territory includes the Texas county of Tom Green, a hot spot for reniform nematodes. In on-farm concept trials of cotton planted year after year, Fuchs sees proof that reniform-nematode-resistant varieties reduce nematode populations and maximize yield potential on reniform-infested acres.
Most producers in Fuchs’ area know they have reniform nematodes. However, university Extension experts say many producers are not aware of reniform nematodes or contribute the losses to other factors. Annually, reniform nematodes cause cotton losses of more than 250,000 bales across the Cotton Belt, with the greatest losses in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Texas.
In addition to this new reniform-nematode-resistant trait, all PhytoGen W3FE varieties offer in-plant bacterial blight resistance, and select varieties offer root-knot nematode resistance and verticillium wilt tolerance. PhytoGen cottonseed alone offers industry-leading native traits combined with its proprietary genetics for excellent vigor, high yield potential and exceptional fiber quality.
For the latest yield data, or more information about PhytoGen brand varieties and PhytoGen Breeding Traits™ to help your customers thrive, go to PhytoGen.com, or join the conversation on Facebook or Twitter.
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