Managing Deltapine® Varieties to Reach Yield Potential
Cotton varieties have significantly evolved, and research shows that adjustments to agronomic practices during the season may be required to help high-performing Deltapine® brand cotton varieties reach their full yield potential.
Plant growth regulator (PGR) use is perhaps the most critical component of a modern cotton management system. PGRs reapportion energy within the cotton plant from vegetative to reproductive growth, pushing the plant into setting and filling fruit rather than developing excess vegetative growth. It is a delicate balance. When done right, it can lead to adequate numbers of nodes and thereby fruiting sites, which helps plants to reach their optimal yield potential.
Cotton varieties such as DP 2333 B3XF, DP 2127 B3XF, DP 2328 B3TXF and DP 2131 B3TXF are popular because of the high-yield performance potential they have shown the past few seasons. They have aggressive growing genetics that can require relatively aggressive PGR management, particularly in conditions where excessive growth is likely. Examples of those conditions include strong soils, rotation with corn, high plant populations and/or fruit loss due to insect feeding or environmental factors.
Deltapine brand Bollgard® 3 ThryvOn® cotton with XtendFlex® Technology varieties have shown they help protect the crop against early-season key thrips species. That control helps support healthier plants and the opportunity to reach pinhead stage rapidly. PGRs are typically applied to all varieties and technologies at similar stages. Because ThryvOn Technology reduces feeding and damage from key thrips species, those stages can be reached sooner. The aggressive, early crop development may require early-season PGR management in some varieties.
PGR use should generally be based on field history, variety background, field status and, most importantly, how fast the field is developing at the current time. Developmental progress can be measured using several plan-based monitoring techniques including plant height, node number and internode elongation of the upper portions of the plant, particularly concentrating on the internode 4 to 5 from the top of the plant.
Combining the latest biotech traits along with appropriate scouting, agronomic decision-making and PGR use is critical to optimizing the performance potential of new Deltapine brand cotton varieties.
The Bayer Scott Learning Center conducts extensive cotton research and can help with management decisions across the Cotton Belt. Contact Jay Mahaffey to schedule a visit or meeting in your area.
Jay S. Mahaffey, Science Fellow, Bayer Crop Science, Scott Learning Center Manager (jay.mahaffey@bayer.com)
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No dicamba may be used in-crop with seed with Roundup Ready® Xtend Technology unless and until approved or specifically permitted, and no dicamba formulations are currently registered for such use in the 2025 season. Please follow www.roundupreadyxtend.com/pages/xtendimax-updates.aspx for status updates. Dicamba may harm crops that are not tolerant to dicamba.
Bayer is a member of Excellence Through Stewardship® (ETS). Bayer products are commercialized in accordance with ETS Product Launch Stewardship Guidance, and in compliance with Bayer’s Policy for Commercialization of Biotechnology-Derived Plant Products in Commodity Crops. Commercialized products have been approved for import into key export markets with functioning regulatory systems. Any crop or material produced from this product can only be exported to, or used, processed or sold in countries where all applicable regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted. Growers should talk to their grain handler or product purchaser to confirm their buying position for this product. Excellence Through Stewardship® is a registered trademark of Excellence Through Stewardship.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS.
It is a violation of federal and state law to use any pesticide product other than in accordance with its labeling. NOT ALL formulations of dicamba, glyphosate or glufosinate are approved for in-crop use with products with XtendFlex® Technology. ONLY USE FORMULATIONS THAT ARE SPECIFICALLY LABELED FOR SUCH USES AND APPROVED FOR SUCH USE IN THE STATE OF APPLICATION. Contact the U.S. EPA and your state pesticide regulatory agency with any questions about the approval status of dicamba herbicide products for in-crop use with products with XtendFlex® Technology.
See the IRM/Grower Guide for additional information. Always read and follow IRM requirements.
B.t. products may not yet be registered in all states. Check with your seed brand representative for the registration status in your state.
Products with XtendFlex® Technology contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate and dicamba. Plants that are not tolerant to glyphosate, dicamba, and/or glufosinate may be damaged or killed if exposed to those herbicides. Contact your seed brand dealer or refer to the Bayer Technology Use Guide for recommended weed control programs.
Insect control technology provided by Vip3A is utilized under license from Syngenta Crop Protection AG. Bayer, Bayer Cross, Bollgard®, Deltapine®, and ThryvOn® Technology are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. ©2025 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.