Comparative Benefit of Bt and Non-Bt Cotton Under Different Insect Management Strategies

Bt and non-Bt cottons were planted across the Mississippi Delta to compare the benefits of Bt technologies with non-Bt varieties under different insect management strategies.  All technologies evaluated were either not treated for heliothine pests, or were treated using either lambda-cyhalothrin or chlorantraniliprole based on thresholds recommended by Mississippi State University Extension Service.  Heliothine densities varied across locations, as well as technologies, resulting in varying numbers of insecticide oversprays for the different treatment combinations.  Heliothine densities, numbers of required applications, and seedcotton yields will be discussed.