Improved fiber quality potential, stable high-yield performance and a better weed control system are among the solutions coming to market with four new Deltapine® Class of 16 cotton varieties.

The varieties—proven to perform by New Product Evaluator (NPE) farmers, who grew them in large-acre plots under their own management systems—enhance the options available to cotton farmers.

“The Class of 16 brings to the market not only varieties with improved yield potential over existing commercial lines, but also excellent fiber quality,” said Keylon Gholston, Deltapine product manager. “These four Bollgard II® XtendFlex® cotton varieties raise the bar on yield and fiber quality potential across early-maturity, mid-maturity and mid- to full-maturity markets. And, they include Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton technology that allows growers to be more effective and flexible with their weed control.”

The Deltapine Class of 16 cotton varieties are:

DP 1646 B2XF

DP 1646 B2XF is a new variety with the ability to raise the bar on yield and fiber quality potential. Broadly adapted to the full-season markets of the Southeast, Mid-South and Texas, DP 1646 B2XF yielded equal to or greater than all top check varieties in 2015 trials.

“It was by far the best cotton in our NPE trial, averaging 1,518 pounds per acre,” said Rodney Dawson in Hawkinsville, Ga. “It’s one of the showier cottons and looked good. I had a guy flying over the field, and he said all season long this variety was going to win the trials. The grades and yield stood out.”

DP 1639 B2XF

This new mid-maturity variety performs well across soil types and growing regions. It has demonstrated improved fiber quality performance over DP 1538 B2XF. When planted on high-production soil types with good irrigation, it may require aggressive PGR management.

“I like the way it came up and the way it grew off,” said Jack Huerkamp in Macon, Miss. “But what I really liked about it was its yield. It averaged 1,721 pounds per acre. It was no less than 250 pounds better than the closest check in the NPE trial.”

DP 1614 B2XF

Across 77 testing locations in 2015, DP 1614 B2XF yielded on par with DP 1522 B2XF, but delivered much better fiber quality overall, including better staple and length.

DP 1614 B2XF averaged 1,358 pounds per acre, beating DP 1518 B2XF by an average of 150 pounds per acre in NPE plots managed by Pace Hindsley in Marvell, Ark. From his picker at harvest, DP 1614 B2XF had a visual advantage over other varieties, appearing bigger, fuller and showier.  “DP 1614 B2XF has huge potential. I am always amazed at how breeders can increase yield potential. They have certainly raised the bar with DP 1614 B2XF.”

DP 1612 B2XF

DP 1612 B2XF demonstrated stable, high-end yield performance in NPE plots and other testing in 2015. In the High Plains of Texas, especially north of Lubbock, it won yield tests in both irrigated and dryland conditions. It also showed good performance in the Mid-South.

“It yielded 2,052 pounds per acre under pivot irrigation at an altitude of 3,700 feet—that’s pretty good,” said Greg Martin in Brownfield, Texas. “It delivered outstanding fiber quality, with good staple and length.

“It has Bollgard II XtendFlex (cotton technology), which we need for more efficient weed control. Once approved, the use of dicamba will be another tool to help control resistant weeds.”

Bollgard II XtendFlex cotton technology, upon all regulatory approvals, will allow three modes of action over the top for a more flexible and reliable weed management program.