Three new Deltapine Seed cotton varieties show promise to help redefine performance
expectations for the San Joaquin Valley and the Pima Belt. All three demonstrate exceptionally strong yield, vigor and earliness.

Agronomic studies charting DP 6211 Acala, DP HTOPima (High Turn Out) and DP WhitePima against standard Maxxa and Pima S-7 varieties were unveiled today at the 1999 Beltwide Cotton Conferences held in Orlando, Florida.

"We are committed to helping define the future of cotton through research and breeding varieties such as DP 6211 Acala, DP HTOPima and DP WhitePima to meet specific needs," said Marc Bates, Deltapine Seed's vice president of agronomic services. "We are excited by the consistent performance of these three specialized varieties as they have outperformed what has for years served as the standard for the region. "Deltapine Seed's goal is to exceed expectations, and with these varieties, we're confident growers will get the attributes they want and that we're setting the bar higher."

In three consecutive years of testing by the San Joaquin Valley Cotton Board SJVCB), DP 6211 Acala demonstrated higher yields than the standard, Maxxa, in both wilt and non wilt soils. DP 6211 Acala was developed in cooperation with Maricopa, Arizona-based O&A, Inc. and approved for release by the SJV Cotton Board for the 1998 season. In 1996 SJV trials, DP 6211 Acala demonstrated higher yields than GTO Maxxa with 35 percent less seed coat fragments. Importantly, the Deltapine variety demonstrated significantly better heat tolerance than either GTO Maxxa or Maxxa during a high temperature season. Although DP 6211 Acala is similar to Maxxa in plant size, growth and fruiting characteristics, boll size and gin turnout, its seedling vigor (measured as emergence) was significantly better than Maxxa (6%). DP 6211 Acala had lower neps on both carded and combed 50s yarn, as well as 36 count rotor and ring. A significantly higher (7-14%) yarn appearance of DP 6211 Acala was demonstrated over Maxxa, and DP 6211 Acala was significantly finer than Maxxa on the Shirley FMT III. DP 6211 Acala demonstrated similar maturity to Maxxa, but had lower micronaire.

As presented at the conference, DP HTOPima (High Turn Out) provides increased turnout without concurrent sacrifices in seed size or seedling vigor. DP HTOPima differs from the standard variety, Pima S-7, in ginnability, size and color of flower, seedling vigor and seed size. DP HTOPima is one week earlier maturing than S-7 and features a compact boll that aids in storm resistance. DP HTOPima's increased ginnability and high turnout are due to a looser attachment of the lint to the seed coat plus a significantly higher lint index (gm. lint/100 seed) of 8.0 versus 6.2 on the standard S-7. For the past two years, a 3-5 percent higher turnout of DP HTOPima over Pima S-7 was noted at all commercial Pima gins. In both 1996 and 1997 SJVCB trials, DP HTOPima demonstrated significantly higher seedling vigor than S-7. Notably, DP HTOPima has a larger seed (3,250 seeds/lb.) than Pima S-7 at 3,600 seed/lb. Up for approval by the SJVCB for introduction in 1999 is Deltapine's DP WhitePima, a new variety offering notable improvements in color of lint, plant maturity and seedling vigor versus the standard Pima S-7. Differences in color of lint result in better grades for DP WhitePima compared to the cream color of Pima S-7, although there is no significant difference in yield between the two. Beyond a white color which offers better returns, the early maturing DP White Pima demonstrated significantly greater seedling vigor than S-7 and a 50 percent open boll date for DP WhitePima which was 5 days
earlier than S-7.

"The new varieties of DP 6211 Acala and DP HTOPima, as well as the anticipated approval of DP WhitePima, provide new opportunities and choices for growers in this region," Bates said. "From Deltapine's portfolio of varieties, growers can select the attributes, from color to seedling vigor to early maturity that fit their operation and management needs. Deltapine Seed offers exceptional seed and agronomic support and information growers need to accomplish their production objectives." Deborah J. Selfridge, James M. Olvey, Dora Bustos, Stella Ortiz and Frank H. Olvey of O&A, Inc. of Maricopa, Arizona, presented their findings on Deltapine Seed's new varieties Tuesday, January 5, at the annual Beltwide Conferences.

Deltapine Seed is a major commercial breeder and marketer of cotton and soybean planting seed. Deltapine varieties lead the market by offering the traits the market wants, ranging from  improved fiber quality to sub-threshold insect control and herbicide tolerance. The company is headquartered in Scott, Mississippi, and maintains research, marketing and agronomic support services throughout the Cotton Belt and traditional southern soybean markets.

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