Scott Martin1, Eric Palmer1, David Black1, David V. Negrotto2, and David P. Dickerson2. (1) Syngenta Crop Protection, 410 Swing Rd., Greensboro, NC 27419, (2) Syngenta Biotechnology, Inc., 3054 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
Syngenta is currently developing VipCot™, a transgenic insect-resistant cotton that expresses dual insect toxins (Vip3A and Cry1Ab). Trials were conducted throughout the cotton belt to test the efficacy of VipCot™ against tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (Fabricius), and cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie). The efficacy of VipCot™ was compared to that of the conventional variety, Coker 312. VipCot™ provided excellent control of both tobacco budworm and cotton bollworm. These results indicate the high level of insecticidal activity provided by a stack of Vip3A and Cry1Ab toxins. Results from 2006 and 2007 field trials conducted in the Mid-South (LA, MS, AR) will be presented.
