Variety Selection Is Key to Success 

A successful 2026 cotton crop begins by selecting the right varieties to plant on each field.  

Variety selection requires a deep understanding of your individual operation, local environment and the management implications of modern genetics, according to Jay Mahaffey, Science Fellow and manager of the Bayer Scott Learning Center in Mississippi. 

“There is a mountain of agronomic data available to growers that can help them establish a baseline of yield potential for their fields,” Mahaffey said. “No matter what a variety’s performance potential is described as by the seed company, growers must understand how it fits their individual operations in order to help the crop reach that potential. Your management philosophy and field conditions should dictate the type of variety you choose.”

Know Your Fields

Understand soil types, weed and insect pest history, nematode and disease pressure, management capabilities and historical field performance. When selecting varieties, utilize local university extension and seed company data to evaluate variety performance in your region. Know that high-input, high-potential varieties need corresponding management. Avoid high-horsepower types in low-input situations. 

“Fields under high management, such as those in an irrigated corn rotation, demand careful variety placement and possibly modifications to other agronomic factors such as planting rate, fertility applications and PGR usage,” said Mahaffey. “More determinate types of products are likely the best fits for planting in these highly productive fields. Less determinate varieties can be useful in these situations (based on local yield potential), allowing for appropriate changes to other agronomic decision points.” 

In harsher, more stressful growing conditions, such as dryland and hillier geographies, a less determinate variety may be necessary, one that can endure and capitalize on any available moisture that comes along later in the season. This helps to minimize the potential for premature cutout in more stressful environments. 

Management Implications

Variety selection can also impact crop growth management. 

Deltapine^® brand Bollgard^® 3 ThryvOn^® cotton with XtendFlex^® Technology varieties help protect the crop against early-season key thrips species. That control helps support healthier plants and the opportunity to reach pinhead stage rapidly, Mahaffey pointed out. 

Plant growth regulators are typically applied to all varieties and technologies at similar stages, according to Mahaffey. 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, he said. 

“This shift toward a more aggressive growth habit can be greater in fields planted to varieties with ThryvOn Technology and nematode tolerance(s), such as DP 2141NR B3TXF, DP 2522NR B3TXF and/or DP 2624NR B3TXF,” Mahhey explained. “The combination of less root feeding by nematodes and greatly reduced thrips damage potential can lead to a very aggressive early-season growth habit that must be appropriately moderated with PGR use.” 

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 plant monitoring techniques, including plant height, node number and internode elongation of the upper portions of the plant, particularly internodes 4 to 5 from the top of the plant. 

Planting proven-performing genetics with advanced trait platforms to help manage key yield-robbing pests is the key to success in 2026.

Southeast Recommendations

DP 2537 B3TXF

• Mid-maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Outstanding yield potential  

DP 2522NR B3TXF

• Early to mid-maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Resistance to reniform nematodes and bacterial blight  

DP 2127 B3XF

• Early to mid-maturity 
• A top-recommended variety for solid performance 
• Responds well to high-yield environments 

DP 2328 B3TXF

• Mid-maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Strong yield potential and fiber package 

DP 2333 B3XF

• Mid-maturity 
• Strong yield potential 
• Resistant to bacterial blight

Mid-South Recommendations

DP 2537 B3TXF

• Mid-maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Outstanding yield potential  

DP 2522NR B3TXF

• Early to mid-maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Resistance to reniform nematodes and bacterial blight  

DP 2414 B3TXF

• Early maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Responds well to high-yield environments  

DP 2328 B3TXF

• Mid-maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Strong yield potential and fiber package 

DP 2333 B3XF

• Mid-maturity 
• Strong yield potential 
• Resistant to bacterial blight

Southwest Recommendations

DP 2335 B3XF

• Mid-maturity 
• Strong fiber package 
• Resistant to bacterial blight 

DP 2239 B3XF

• Mid-maturity 
• Excellent yield and fiber quality potential 
• Good replacement variety for DP 1646 B2XF 

DP 2123 B3XF

• Early to mid-maturity 
• Strong seedling vigor 
• Solid dryland performance 

DP 2131 B3TXF

• Early to mid-maturity 
• Bollgard 3 ThryvOn cotton with XtendFlex Technology (B3TXF) 
• Outstanding yield and fiber quality potential 

DP 2012 B3XF

• Early maturity 
• Solid yield potential across a range of environments 
• Resistant to bacterial blight

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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 2026 season. Please follow www.roundupreadyxtend.com/pages/xtendimax-updates.aspx for status updates. Dicamba may harm crops that are not tolerant to dicamba.}

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^{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 contains 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.}

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