Delta and Pine Land Company (D&PL) announces the commercialization of the much-heralded new mid-maturity, stacked-gene cotton variety, DP 454 BG/RR, plus new exciting Bollgard® II/Roundup Ready® Flex varieties for 2006.

Already earning a reputation for high yields, DP 454 BG/RR combines the best characteristics of America’s two leading cotton varieties: DP 555 BG/RR and DP 444 BG/RR. In testing across the U.S. Cotton Belt it has demonstrated gin turnout in the DP 555 BG/RR-range and premium fiber quality potential on a level of DP 444 BG/RR.

The high gin turnout documented this past year gives DP 454 BG/RR outstanding yield potential, says David Albers, Technical Services Regional Director at D&PL.

“In widespread testing in 2004, we saw good, consistent performance from DP 454 BG/RR,” Albers said. “In the midsouth and southeast it yielded almost on par with DP 555 BG/RR. Because of its maturity, this product should be a good fit in much of the Upland cotton markets across the United States.”

Based on preliminary data collected by D&PL Technical Services, DP 454 BG/RR appears to be slightly earlier in maturity than DP 555 BG/RR and more of a fuller-maturity than DP 444 BG/RR, making it a great companion variety to both of these popular products. D&PL expects to have a good supply of seed for this variety in 2006. DP 454 BG/RR is one variety cotton producers and consultants will want to make sure they try in 2006, according to Jim Willeke, vice president of sales and marketing at D&PL.

“The excitement concerning the yield potential of this product reminds me of the excitement around DP 555 BG/RR just before it went commercial in 2003,” he said. “We believe DP 454 BG/RR has the potential to join DP 444 BG/RR and DP 555 BG/RR as one of the most-planted cotton varieties in the United States.”

D&PL also has seed production in place on 10 new varieties containing the Roundup Ready® Flex technology. Five of these varieties contain Roundup Ready Flex stacked with Bollgard II®.

Early-Maturity

• DP 113 B2RF

• DP 117 B2RF

• DP 108 RF

• DP 110 RF

Mid- to Full-Maturity

• DP 143 B2RF

• DP 147 RF

• DP 164 B2RF

• DP 167 RF

• DP 156 B2RF

• DP 152 RF

These varieties are from diverse backgrounds which have produced such notable products as DP 555 BG/RR, DP 488 BG/RR and DP 494 RR. The yield and fiber quality of these new varieties have been very good in testing to date.

Two varieties launched in limited supplies in 2005, DP 445 BG/RR and DP 455 BG/RR, should make great companion products to DP 444 BG/RR and DP 555 BG/RR in many growing regions. DP 445 BG/RR has demonstrated excellent yield potential in the north and south Delta, central Texas and the southeastern United States. It is an early- to mid-season variety that has exhibited good fiber quality potential with strength averaging in the 31 or better range, staple 36-plus and a 4.3 micronaire.

DP 455 BG/RR is a mid- to full-season variety with excellent yield potential. It appears to be yielding very well this year in south Texas and the midsouth and southeastern United States. This variety combines both high yield with excellent fiber quality potential. It has demonstrated in testing a good potential to produce premium micronaire, strength in the 31 or better range and staple in the 36-plus range.

“As the leading cotton seed supplier to U.S. producers, D&PL has the breeding and research capabilities to keep America’s cotton farmers armed with a wide range of maturities and technologies to meet farm requirements and textile mill demands,” Willeke said. “Our 2006 cotton variety lineup offers producers yield, fiber and more technologies than ever before.”

D&PL cotton seed is packaged in standard bags containing a minimum of 250,000 seeds, and 8-million-seed Boll Box bulk delivery systems. To place seed orders, call Customer Service at 1-888-511-SEED (7333).

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 almost 90 years, the company has used its extensive plant breeding programs, drawing from a diverse germplasm base, to develop improved cotton varieties. Delta and Pine Land Company (NYSE: DLP), headquartered in Scott, Mississippi, has offices in eight states and facilities in several foreign countries.

Bollgard, Bollgard II, Roundup Ready and Roundup Ready Flex are registered trademarks used under a license from Monsanto Technology LLC. D&PL is a registered trademark and “Yield. Fiber. More.” and Boll Box are trademarks of Delta and Pine Land Company. ©2005 Delta and Pine Land Company. All Rights Reserved.