Comparison of transgenic Bt technologies in Arkansas cotton systems for control of cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

4:30 PM – 4:42 PM PT

Location: Vancouver Convention Centre, Meeting Room 110

Presenting Author(s)

Zack Murray

Graduate Assistant
University of Arkansas
Lonoke, Arkansas

Co-Author(s)

BT

Benjamin Thrash

Assistant Professor of Entomology
University of Arkansas
Lonoke, Arkansas
NB

Nick Bateman

University of Arkansas
Stuttgart, Arkansas
Chase Floyd

PhD Candidate
University of Arkansas
Little Rock, Arkansas
AW

Adam Whitfield

Graduate Assistant
University of Arkansas
Lonoke, Arkansas
TN

Trevor B. Newkirk

University of Arkansas
Lonoke, Arkansas

One of the widely used methods of controlling cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa zea) in cotton is the use of transgenic Bt technologies. Resistance has recently been documented in cotton bollworm to two gene cotton cultivars and results indicate that dual gene cultivars may require supplemental foliar applications to manage high populations of bollworm. There is some evidence that, while more efficacious against bollworm, three gene cotton cultivars yield less than two gene cultivars. Despite this yield gap, growers could have greater profits using three gene cultivars due to lower input and production cost. Research was conducted in 2021 in Drew County, Arkansas to evaluate the efficacy of several Bt technologies and the economic value of Bollgard II and Bollgard III technologies. Results suggest sprayed two gene cultivars had similar levels of damage to unsprayed three gene cultivars.