Atlanta, Georgia
January 9, 2002

Tests show DP 491 combines best of both yield and quality

Delta and Pine Land Company (D&PL) announced a breakthrough in variety development with simultaneous improvement in both yield and quality at the 2002 Beltwide Cotton Conferences in Atlanta. The breakthrough was discussed as the company introduced a new mid-full season, conventional cotton variety, DP 491, that combines high yield and outstanding fiber quality. The announcement was made at the New Developments from Industry Session and further information on breaking the long-standing yield and fiber quality relationship will be discussed in Saturday's Cotton Improvement Conference.

"Historically, it has been very difficult to develop varieties that have high yield and adaptation and also have high fiber quality traits of fine, long and strong fibers," said Dr. Don L. Keim, D&PL's senior cotton breeder. "We have been able to accomplish that with the development of DP 491. It provides exceptional fiber quality and a fiber length previously unavailable in Upland varieties adapted to the
lower Southeast, lower Mid-South and South Texas."

DP 491 has semi-smooth leaves, good seedling vigor and a diverse germplasm background. It has outstanding and consistent yield performance, as well as excellent length and strength. The boll size is large with good storm resistance. This variety has very good tolerance to Fusarium and Verticillium wilt.

Lint percent for DP 491 is high relative to other varieties and micronaire has generally been in the premium range. Fiber length has shown to be one staple length longer or greater than any other variety in comparison tests conducted by D&PL. Fiber strength is also high.

For more information, see 2002 Final Beltwide Presentations on the Delta and Pine Land Company's website.

Delta and Pine Land Company is a commercial breeder, producer and marketer of cotton planting seed, as well as soybean seed in the Cotton Belt. For more than 80 years, the Mississippi-based company has used its extensive plant breeding programs drawing from a diverse germplasm base to develop superior varieties. Delta and Pine Land (NYSE: DLP) has offices in eight states and facilities in several foreign countries.