Systems Agronomic and Economic Evaluation of Transgenic and Conventional Varieties in the Texas High Plains

 February, 2002

 Dr. Randy Boman, Extension Agronomist-Cotton
Mr. Mark Kelley, Extension Assistant-Cotton
Mr. Alan Helm, Extension Assistant-Cotton
Mr. Mark Stelter, Extension Assistant-Cotton

Texas Cooperative Extension

Lubbock, TX

Introduction

Small-plot cotton variety testing generally includes evaluation of genetic components but not genetics in concert with management programs. Characteristics commonly evaluated in small-plot testing include lint yield, turnout percentages, fiber quality, and earliness.

Over the last 4 years, High Plains cotton producers have increased planted acres of transgenic cottons (Roundup- and Buctril-herbicide tolerant and Bt insect-resistant types) from approximately 300 thousand  in 1997 to approximately 2 million in 2001.  Industry continues to increase the number of herbicide-tolerant, insect-resistant, and “stacked gene” varieties.  The proliferation of transgenic varieties in the marketplace for 2001 was substantial and is expected to continue over the next few years.  New transgenic varieties were marketed in the High Plains by Delta and Pine Land/Paymaster, Stoneville Pedigreed Seed/Stoneville, Texas, All Tex Seed Company, and FiberMax in 2001.  More transgenic varieties in both picker and stripper type cottons are expected to be released by these companies in 2002.  Liberty herbicide tolerant varieties from Aventis Crop Science (successor:  Bayer Crop Science) are currently in development and should be available within the next few years.  Additional “stacked” Bt gene products (Bollgard II) from Monsanto are also anticipated as well as an “enhanced” Roundup Ready gene.  Current small-plot variety testing programs are inadequate in scale and design to investigate the economic impact of new transgenic varieties with value-added traits.

The objective of this project was to evaluate the profitability of various transgenic cotton varieties when compared to conventional types in producer’s fields in the Texas High Plains.

 

Materials and Methods

For scientific validity, three replications of each variety were included at each location.  Plot size was of sufficient size to enable the compositing of all replications of each individual variety into a single module at harvest.  Each individual variety had at least three acres total (approximately one acre per plot with three replications = three acres total).  A forced randomization was used at each location.  This was a requirement due to the potential for drift of Buctril and Roundup Ultra to adjacent non-herbicide tolerant varieties.  For example, the Roundup Ready varieties were planted in a contiguous block, with a fill variety between the next herbicide system.  Varieties within the next herbicide system were then planted, with a fill variety between the last system.  Varieties were randomized in each replication and herbicide system, but the forced randomization due to herbicide system was maintained.  All fill varieties were treated with conventional herbicides and were not used for data acquisition.

Preplant incorporated and/or preemergence herbicide applications were made at the discretion of the producer-cooperator.  Broadcast over-the-top herbicide applications were made using project equipment and project personnel or by the cooperator.  Post-directed herbicide applications were made by the producer-cooperator with the guidance of project personnel.  Weed species spectrum was determined by project personnel working with the cooperator.  Control of weed escapes (hoeing and/or spot spraying) was performed by project personnel and cooperator employees and records were kept by herbicide system to facilitate economic analysis.

In-season plant mapping data were derived from mapping 10 representative plants/plot on each mapping date, and the final plant map was conducted on 6 plants/plot.  First position fruit retention, node of first fruiting branch, plant height, nodes above white  flower, and overall plant development were tracked throughout the growing season.  Plot weights were determined at harvest using a boll buggy with integral electronic scales and grab samples were obtained from each plot.  Modules were followed through the ginning process to determine lint turnout, USDA fiber quality, and loan value.  Ginners were asked to gin each module separately and to tie off any remnant bales obtained in the ginning process in order to determine more precisely the turnout and lint yields.  Data were then converted to a per acre basis and appropriate statistical analyses were performed.

Three producer-cooperator locations were utilized for this project.

Location 1 – Muleshoe (Parmer County)

James Brown Farm, near Muleshoe (Parmer County)

Clean tillage following corn

Irrigation: low elevation spray, straight rows

Plot size: 10 30-inch rows/plot

Area:  Variable (0.7 to 1.5 Acres/Plot), 3 replications of each variety

Planted:  May 15, 2001 at 20 lb seed/acre

Harvest aid program: October 8 – 1 pt/acre Prep + 1 pt/acre Def + 1 pt/acre Crop Oil

Concentrate (COC) followed by 16 oz/acre Cyclone Max + 2 oz/acre NIS on October 18

Harvested:  October 23 and 24, 2001

Blanket Weed Control Program:  $30.09/acre

Dominant weed species: pigweed, kochia, johnsongrass, cocklebur, volunteer corn

The whole field was treated with 2 pt/acre of Treflan preplant incorporated.  An additional 1 pt/acre of Direx (diuron) was broadcast at planting.  One post directed application of 1 qt/acre MSMA + 1 qt/acre Cypro + 1 qt/acre COC was applied across all varieties.  The total cost of the blanket weed control program was $30.09/acre.

Specific herbicide systems costs included:

BXN variety:  1 pt/acre Buctril + 0.5% COC at 10 GPA on June 14.

Roundup Ready varieties: 26 oz/acre Roundup UltraMax + 17 lb of StrikeZone per 100

gallons of spray solution, applied in 10 GPA on June 14 over-the-top.

All non-Roundup Ready Varieties: 12 oz/acre Fusion + 1% v/v COC at 10 GPA on June

21.

One cultivation was conducted across all varieties. Hoe costs were $1.70 per acre for

conventional varieties.

Temik was applied in-furrow at planting at 3.5 lb/acre.  Orthene was applied for thrips and fleahopper control on June 6 at 4 oz/acre and June 14 at 3 oz/acre.  Lepidopterous insect pressure at this site was moderate, and the project was oversprayed twice for bollworm control (July 3, 2.13 oz/acre Ammo and August 8, 3.9 oz/acre Karate).  This location was in an active boll weevil eradication zone, but no applications were made by the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation.

Mepiquat chloride applications included Pix at 8 oz/acre on July 3, and Pix at 14 oz/acre on July 14.

Varieties planted at this site included:

1.  Paymaster 2145RR

2.  Paymaster 2326RR

3.  Paymaster 2156RR

4.  Paymaster 2200RR

5.  Paymaster 2280BG/RR

6.  Paymaster 2167RR

7.  Paymaster 2379RR

8.  All-Tex Xpress RR

9.  Stoneville 2454R

10.  Stoneville BXN 16

11.  FiberMax 819

12.  Paymaster 280

13.  Deltapine 2156

Location 2 – Cone (Crosby County)

Appling Farm, near Cone (Crosby County)

Reduced tillage following cotton

Irrigation: LEPA, circular rows

Plot Size: 8 40-inch rows/plot

Area:  Variable (0.8 to 1.6 acres/Plot), 3 replications of each variety

Planted:  May 2, 2001 at 14 lb seed/acre

Harvest aid program: September 27 – 3 pt/acre CottonQuik + 7 oz/acre Ginstar (no

follow-up Cyclone application was required)

Harvested:  October 3, 2001

Blanket Weed Control Program:  $5.00/acre, which consisted of spot spraying of

Roundup Ultra across all varieties on July 10.

Dominant weed species: pigweed, silverleaf nightshade, morningglory, kochia

Specific herbicide systems costs included:

Conventional varieties: 1 pt/acre of Treflan was applied preplant incorporated (rolling

cultivator) on April 27.

Roundup Ready varieties: 26 oz/acre Roundup UltraMax + 17 lb Strike Zone/100 gallons

of spray  on June 6 over-the-top.

Post-directed application on Roundup Ready varieties:  Roundup UltraMax 26 oz/acre +

ammonium sulfate (17 lb/100 gallons of spray solution) was applied using a Wylie applicator on July 2.

No mepiquat chloride plant growth regulators were applied at this site.

Non-Roundup Ready varieties were cultivated two times.  Roundup Ready varieties were not cultivated.

Hoe costs were negligible, as only a few weed escapes were hand hoed.

No insecticides were applied to the project due to lack of economic infestation levels.  This location was in an active boll weevil eradication zone, and several boll weevil applications of Fyfanon (malathion) were made by the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation.

Varieties planted at this site included:

1.  Paymaster 2326RR

2.  Paymaster 2326BG/RR

3.  Paymaster 2200RR

4.  Paymaster 2280BG/RR

5.  Paymaster 2379RR

6.  Paymaster 2266RR

7.  Stoneville 2454R

8.  FiberMax 989BG/RR

9.  Paymaster HS26

10.  Paymaster 280

11.  FiberMax 989

12.  FiberMax 958

13.  FiberMax 5015

Location 3 – Tokio (Yoakum County)

Rickey Bearden Farm, Tokio (Yoakum County)

Clean-tillage following cotton

Irrigation: low elevation spray, straight rows

Plot Size: 12 40-inch rows/plot

Area:  Variable (1.1 to 2.2 acres/Plot), 3 replications of each variety

Planted:  May 16, 2001 at 15 lb seed/acre

Harvest aid program: October 5 – 1pt/acre Finish 6 + 6 oz/acre Ginstar (follow-up

application of Cyclone Max at 12 oz/acre was made on October 17)

Harvested:  October 26-27, 2001

Blanket Weed Control Program:  $16.84/acre

Dominant weed species: silverleaf nightshade, prairie sunflower, johnsongrass

A conventional herbicide program was used on all varieties which included 1 pt/acre Treflan preplant incorporated on April 1, Treflan at 4 oz/acre plus Caparol at 8 oz/acre on a 12-inch band over the row at planting, and one blanket cultivation across all varieties.  A spot-spray of Fusion for johnsongrass control was made across all varieties on July 19 and 20.

Specific herbicide systems costs included:

Roundup Ready varieties: 26 oz/acre Roundup UltraMax + 17 lb of StrikeZone per 100

gallons of spray solution, applied in 10 GPA on June 16 over-the-top.

Hoeing was required for all varieties.  $19.00 in hoe costs were incurred for the non-Roundup Ready types, and $6.00 per acre in hoe costs were incurred for the Roundup Ready types.

No mepiquat chloride plant growth regulator applications were made at this site.

Centric was applied by the cooperator at 1 oz/acre ($6.50/acre for chemical and application) for lygus and fleahopper control on July 5.  Two Fyfanon applications for boll weevil control were made by the Texas Boll Weevil Eradication Foundation.

Varieties planted at this site included:

1.  Paymaster 2326RR

2.  Paymaster 2326BG/RR

3.  Paymaster 2200RR

4.  Paymaster 2280BG/RR

5.  Paymaster 2379RR

6.  Paymaster 2266RR

7.  All-Tex Atlas RR

8.  Stoneville 2454R

9.  Fiber Max 989BG/RR

10.  Deltapine 237B

11.  Paymaster HS26

12.  AFD 2050

13.  FiberMax 958

14.  FiberMax 989

15.  FiberMax 5015

 

Results

Agronomic and economic results from the projects by variety are provided in Tables 1-9.  Summaries of the systems costs and expenses by variety for each location are provided in Tables 10-12.

Location 1 – Muleshoe

The early , mid-season, and late-season growth characteristics are presented in Table 1.  Plant stands averaged about 94,000 plants/acre.  Lowest stand counts were obtained with the Paymaster 2167, All-Tex XpressRR, and Stoneville 2454R varieties, although adequate stands were still obtained.  Some varieties exhibited significantly lower early-season plant height, total nodes, and height to node ratio. No apparent trends were noted in development among Roundup Ready, BXN, Bollgard, and stacked gene (Roundup Ready with Bollgard) compared to conventional varieties.  The node of first fruiting branch (NFFB) was higher for FiberMax 819 when compared to other varieties.  No significant differences were noted for early-season first position fruit retention, early-season fruiting nodes, mid-season fruit retention, and late-season nodes above white flower (NAWF) on two dates.  Final plant height ranged from about 19 to 22 inches, and no significant differences were noted among varieties.  Final total mainstem nodes ranged from 14 to  nearly 17, and final height to node ratios were not statistically different.

Commercial turnouts of harvested material ranged from 18.9% for All-Tex XpressRR to 26.0% for FiberMax 819 (Table 2).  Bur cotton yields/acre ranged from 5837 lb/acre for PM 280 to 6938 lb/acre for Paymaster 2326RR.  This resulted in lint yields ranging from 1154 lb/acre for All-Tex XpressRR to 1665 lb/acre for Paymaster 2167RR.  Lint loan values derived from USDA-AMS classing results of the bales obtained in the project show that values ranged from $0.3884 for Paymaster 2145RR to $0.5089 for Paymaster 2326RR (Table 3).  Loan value discounts were attributed to low micronaire value, staple length, and strength for some varieties.  After totaling lint and seed value per acre and subtracting out ginning costs and system-specific costs (Table 10), the net value per acre ranged from a low of $531.10/acre for All-Tex XpressRR  to $750.66/acre for Paymaster 2379RR (Table 2), a difference of $219.56.

Within the statistical “upper tier” of net returns, several varieties produced the same net value.  Two of the top 5 varieties were conventional types (FiberMax 819 and Deltapine 2156).  Paymaster 2379RR and Paymaster 2326RR numerically produced the highest net returns at this location.  Stoneville BXN 16  variety and system produced significantly lower net value per acre than some of the Roundup Ready varieties and the conventional FiberMax 819.  Many of the transgenic Roundup Ready varieties competed very well with conventional varieties in terms of overall economics of production at this site.  The conventional okra-leaf FiberMax 819 produced similar net value when compared to Paymaster 2326RR, even though the FiberMax 819 produced 136 lb/acre higher lint yield.  The difference in net value between these varieties was due to the approximately $0.05/lb difference in loan value due to the severe micronaire discount for the FiberMax 819.

Location 2 – Cone

Early season agronomic data show that lower stand counts were noted for the Paymaster 2266RR variety when compared to others (Table 4), and varieties averaged about 37,000 plants/acre.  Early season plant map data indicated that only small differences in vigor were noted.  Node of first fruiting branch initiation was significantly higher for the FiberMax picker varieties (958, 989, 989BG/RR) than most other types.  Early season fruit retention also tended to be greater for the FiberMax picker varieties.  By mid-season differences in fruit retention among varieties were not observed.  Small differences in NAWF on two different dates were noted,  with High Plains stripper varieties exhibiting lower NAWF than some of the picker types.  FiberMax 5015 and FiberMax 989 produced significantly larger plants than most other varieties at the end of the season.  Final total nodes/plant were higher for FiberMax 5015 and 958 than many other varieties.

Commercial turnouts ranged from 19.3% for FiberMax 989BG/RR to 23.1% for Stoneville 2454R (Table 5). Bur cotton yields ranged from 2372 for Paymaster 2200RR to 2856 lb/acre for FiberMax 989BG/RR.  The lint yields ranged from 504 lb/acre for Paymaster 2326RR to 594 lb/acre for FiberMax 989.  Loan values were lowest for Paymaster 2379RR ($0.4114) and highest for FiberMax 989 ($0.5419) (Table 6).  After calculating total value per acre and then subtracting ginning costs and systems costs (Table 11), net value/acre ranged from a low of $162.17 for Paymaster 2326BG/RR to a high of $287.29 for FiberMax 989, a difference of $125.12/acre.  FiberMax 989 and 958 produced the highest net values/acre compared to  other varieties.  Discounts for short staple and high micronaire contributed to lower loan value for several varieties, and reduced the overall net value/acre. Four additional varieties were in the second “tier” of significance, including FiberMax 5015, FiberMax 989BG/RR, Paymaster HS26, and Paymaster 280.  The only transgenic variety to place in the top six ranking was FiberMax 989BG/RR, which exhibited medium yield, but superior fiber properties.  These data indicate that five of the top six varieties in terms of net value were conventional types.

Location 3 – Tokio

Agronomic characteristics of varieties at this site are found in Table 7.  Paymaster 2266RR had a significantly lower stand count than all other varieties, which averaged about 51,000 plants/acre.  Only minor differences were noted for early season plant height, with Paymaster 2200RR having the largest plants.  Early season total node counts ranged from 8.4 for FiberMax 958 to 6.9 for Paymaster 2326RR.  Two FiberMax picker varieties (958 and 989) tended to have higher total nodes at this time.  Early season height to node ratios indicated significant, but minor differences among varieties.  Node of first fruiting branch (NFFB) numbers indicated that the FiberMax picker varieties (958, 989, 989BG/RR) initiated fruiting branches later on the mainstem than did most other varieties.  No differences were noted for early- or mid-season first position fruit retention, or NAWF on July 24.  All varieties reached cutout by July 30, and only minor differences in NAWF were observed at that time.  Final plant heights were  not significantly different among varieties.  However, final total node count was higher for conventional FiberMax varieties (5015, 958, and 989).  Final height to node ratio was not different.

Economic results for this site are presented in Table 8.  Commercial turnouts ranged from a low of 21.4% for Paymaster 2326RR and All-Tex AtlasRR to a high of 25.8% for FiberMax 989BG/RR.  Bur cotton yields varied considerably from a low of 4323 lb/acre for Paymaster 2200RR to 5277 lb/acre for FiberMax 989BG/RR.  Lint yields ranged from 929 lb/acre for All-Tex AtlasRR to 1362 lb/acre for FiberMax 989BG/RR.  Loan values also varied considerably from lows of $0.4907 and $0.5029 for Deltapine 237B  and Paymaster 2379RR, respectively, to a high of $0.5546 for FiberMax 958 (Table 9).  Both varieties from the Deltapine 2379 background (Deltapine 237B and Paymaster 2379RR) produced high-micronaire fiber with severe discounts which resulted in lower loan value.  Paymaster HS26 and Paymaster 2326RR also exhibited some high micronaire values in some bales, which resulted in discounts.

Net value/acre after taking into consideration ginning costs and systems costs (Table 12) ranged from a low of $467.80 to a high of $704.40, a difference of $236.60/acre.  FiberMax 989BG/RR produced significantly greater net value/acre than all other varieties at this site.  The next “tier” of significance included FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, Stoneville 2454R, Paymaster 2280BG/RR, and AFD 2050.  Therefore, of the top six varieties in terms of net value/acre at this site, three were transgenic (FiberMax 989BG/RR, Stoneville 2454R and Paymaster 2280BG/RR) and three were conventional (FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, and AFD 2050).

Varieties containing the Bollgard gene at this location produced higher net value/acre than their conventional or Roundup Ready counterparts.  Comparisons include:

1.  FiberMax 989BG/RR vs.  FiberMax 989 = $92.49

2.  Deltapine 237B vs. Paymaster 2379RR = $22.76

3.  Paymaster 2280BG/RR vs. Paymaster 2200RR = $47.16

4.  Paymaster 2326BG/RR vs. Paymaster 2326RR = $69.00.

There was an average of $57.85 benefit to varieties with the Bollgard gene in similar genetic backgrounds.  This advantage is thought to be due to “sub-threshold” bollworm control, as low background populations of this lepidopterous pest were noted in the trial during the growing season.

 

Summary and Conclusions

In the high-yielding environment at the Muleshoe location, several varieties statistically produced the same net value.  Two of the top 5 varieties were conventional types (FiberMax 819 and Deltapine 2156).   Paymaster 2379RR and Paymaster 2326RR numerically produced the highest net value.  Stoneville BXN 16 variety and system produced significantly lower net value per acre than some of the Roundup Ready varieties and the conventional FiberMax 819.  Many of the transgenic Roundup Ready varieties competed very well with conventional varieties in terms of overall economics of production.  The conventional okra-leaf FiberMax 819 produced similar net value when compared to Paymaster 2326RR, even though the FiberMax 819 produced 136 lb/acre higher lint yield.  The difference in net value between these two varieties was due to the approximately $0.05/lb difference in loan value due to severe low-micronaire discount for the FiberMax 819.

In the lower-yielding environment at Cone, FiberMax 989 and FiberMax 958 produced the highest net values/acre compared to other varieties.  Discounts for short staple and high micronaire contributed to lower loan value for several varieties, and reduced the overall net value/acre. In the second “tier” of significance was four additional varieties, including FiberMax 5015, FiberMax 989BG/RR, Paymaster HS26, and Paymaster 280. The only transgenic variety to place in the top six ranking for net value/acre was FiberMax 989BG/RR, which exhibited medium yield, but superior fiber properties.  These data indicate that five of the top six varieties in terms of net value were conventional types.

In the moderately high-yielding environment at Tokio, FiberMax 989BG/RR produced significantly greater net value/acre than all other varieties.  The next “tier” of significance included FiberMax 958 and FiberMax 989, Stoneville 2454R, Paymaster 2280BG/RR, and AFD 2050.  Therefore, of the top six varieties in terms of net value/acre at this site, three were transgenic (FiberMax 989BG/RR, Stoneville 2454R and Paymaster 2280BG/RR) and three were conventional (FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, and AFD 2050).  There was an average of $57.85 benefit to varieties with the Bollgard gene in similar genetic backgrounds.  This advantage is thought to be due to “sub-threshold” bollworm control, as low background populations of this lepidopterous pest were noted in the trial during the growing season.

Results from the 2001 production season at three varying locations in the Texas High Plains indicate that some transgenic Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready/Bollgard stacked gene varieties can be competitive with standard conventional varieties in terms of production economics.  However, at one  lower-yielding location, conventional varieties produced the highest net values/acre.  The value of the Bollgard gene for “sub-threshold” bollworm control was apparently documented at one site which encountered some chronic low populations of that insect pest.  FiberMax picker varieties were consistent top performers in terms of net value/acre.  These data indicate that substantial differences can be obtained in terms of net value/acre due to variety selection.  The differences in net value when comparing the top and bottom varieties were $219, $125, and $236/acre for Muleshoe, Cone, and Tokio, respectively.

It should be noted that no inclement weather was encountered in these trials prior to harvest.  High intensity rainfall and/or high wind events were not experienced to potentially cause pre-harvest losses with the open boll picker-type varieties (FiberMax 958, FiberMax 989, FiberMax 989BG/RR) or the lesser-stormproof stripper types (Stoneville 2454R and Stoneville BXN 16).  Producers should take note that the harvest period optimum encountered in 2001 is not considered “normal” for the Texas High Plains.  Additional multi-site and multi-year applied research is needed to evaluate varieties across a series of environments.

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the following for their support.

• Plains Cotton Growers – Plains Cotton Improvement Program and Cotton Incorporated for funding
• Producer-cooperators:
• Mr. David Appling
• Mr. Mark Appling
• Mr. Rickey Bearden
• Mr. James Brown
• Gins:
• Tokio Co-op Gin, Tokio
• Muleshoe Co-op Gin, Muleshoe
• Associated Cotton Growers, Crosbyton
• Companies:
• AFD
• Levelland Delinting- All-Tex
• Aventis Crop Science
• Delta and Pine Land / Paymaster
• Griffin
• Monsanto
• Stoneville Texas
• Syngenta
• Texas Cooperative Extension Agents:
• Mr. Curtis Preston, CEA-Ag, Bailey County
• Mr. Cody Hill, CEA-Ag, Parmer County
• Mr. Steve Young, CEA-Ag, Crosby County
• Mr. Steve Davis, EA-IPM, Crosby/Floyd Counties
• Mr. Arlan Gentry, CEA-Ag, Yoakum County
• Mr. Jerry Warren, CEA-Ag, Terry County
• Mr. Scott Russell, EA-IPM, Terry/Yoakum Counties
• Student Workers:
• Mr. Bryan Hawkins
• Mr. Clay Ashley
• Mr. Jason Jarrell
• Mr. Corey Lowrance
• Texas Agricultural Experiment Station:
• Dr. John Gannaway

• Table 1
• Table 2
• Table 3
• Table 4
• Table 5
• Table 6
• Table 7
• Table 8
• Table 9
• Table 10
• Table 11
• Table 12