Variation in White Flower Anther Injury Associated with Field Plot Size in Tarnished Plant Bug Host Plant Resistance Evaluations in Arkansas Cotton

Results will be presented from a 2 year study to evaluate effects of plot size on white flower anther injury counts. Such counts are used as an indication of feeding preferences of tarnished plant bug in small plot HPR trials in cotton breeding programs. In this study 3 cotton lines used as “standards” in Arkansas cotton breeding program were planted in single row plots embedded within larger 28 row plots. White flower anther injury assessments were made daily across these maxi and mini plots. These data have implications on techniques used in breeding for host plant resistance in cotton.