Upland Cotton Variety Evaluation in Graham County, 2003

Abstract

A field trial was established during the 2003 growing season as part of the statewide Upland Cotton Variety Testing Program. This trial was located in Thatcher with Dennis Layton Farms as the cooperator. The location was one of eleven around the state. A total of twelve varieties were entered from six cooperating seed companies. Varieties included DP655BR, DP555BR, DP449BR, and DP5690R from Delta and Pine Land Company; FM989BR, FM991R, and FM991BR from Fiber Max; ST5303R and ST5599BR from Stoneville; Riata from CPCSD; AG3601 from Arizona Cotton Growers Association; and SCX-7 from Salcot. The twelve varieties were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Individual plots consisted of 4, 38” rows extending the full length of the irrigation run (1250 ft.). Plant measurements were collected throughout the season to evaluate growth and development characteristics of each variety. Yield and fiber quality data was collected at the end of the season by harvesting and weighing each individual experimental unit. Sub-samples were collected for fiber quality analysis. Percent emergence data indicated differences in seedling vigor and stand establishment. Percent emergence ranged from a high of nearly 90% (Fiber Max FM989BR) to less than 50% (Delta and Pine DP555BR). Even with the low percent emergence for DP555BR an adequate stand was achieved for each variety and did not significantly impact final yield. Significant differences were observed in final lint yields with Fiber Max FM991BR producing the highest yield at 1690 lbs. lint per acre and Fiber Max FM989BR producing the lowest yield at 1292 lbs. lint per acre, a difference of approximately 400 lbs. Delta and Pine DP655BR has been the standard variety planted in the valley for several years. The only variety producing more lint than DP655BR was FM991BR. Lint value calculated using premium/discounts for fiber quality resulted in FM991BR with the highest value at $952/acre. All varieties had overall premiums except for AG3601which was discounted due to high fiber micronaire. Results from this evaluation indicate that FM991BR appears to be an additional variety from which growers have to choose that has the potential to perform very well in the Upper Gila River valley.