ARS | Publication request: COMPARATIVE EFFICACY OF BOLLGARD II AND NON-BT COTTON ON THE NOCTUID COMPLEX IN THE LOWER RIO GRANDE VALLEY OF TEXAS

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings/Symposium
Publication Acceptance Date: January 5, 2006
Publication Date: May 1, 2006
Citation: Greenberg, S.M., Armstrong, J.S., Coleman, R.J., Bradford, J.M., Liu, T., Adamczyk Jr., J.J. 2006. Comparative efficacy of Bollgard II and non-bt cotton on the Noctuid Complex in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. In: Proceedings of the Beltwide Cotton Conferences, January 3-6, 2006, San Antonio, Texas. 2006 CDROM.

Interpretive Summary: Caterpillar pest infestations in cotton can significantly increase during boll weevil eradication because of insecticidal impacts on beneficial insects. Genetically-modified cottons, including Bollgard II which contains two Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins, represent a new technology to control caterpillar pests. Efficacy of Bollgard II and non-Bt conventional cotton to control caterpillar pests was compared in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Under high insect populations, Bollgard II significantly reduced cotton leaf and fruit damage, and the presence of live larvae throughout the growing season. Under low larval populations, Bollgard II and non-Bt conventional cotton were similar in damage and yield. However, under high larval populations, Bollgard II had greater yield compared to non-Bt cotton. Results from this research will help protect cotton production and safeguard the progress of the boll weevil eradication program.

Technical Abstract: Evaluations of the comparative efficacy of Bollgard II versus a non-Bt conventional variety of cotton against a noctuid complex were conducted in the Lower Rio Grande Valley (LRGV) of Texas during 2004-2005. Under high insect populations, Bollgard II significantly reduced cotton leaf and fruit damage, and the presence of live larvae throughout the growing season. Under low larval populations, these two technologies were similar in damage and yield; however, under high populations, Bollgard II had greater yield compared to non-Bt cotton.