Effect of Pest Damage Intensity on the Growth, Maturation, and Yield of Nectaried and Nectariless Cotton

Abstract

The nectariless, near-isogenic cultivar of ‘Stoneville 7A' produced a higher yield than its nectaried counterpart due to: (1) an intrinsically greater yield potential, and (2) a reduced attractiveness to insect pests which resulted in a reduction in pest damage. The greatest yield advantage occurred with the unsprayed field comparison where the nectariless cultivar had ca. 40% less damaged fruit over each of the 4 years. The nectariless cultivar also matured earlier, as much as 18 days with the unsprayed field comparison. The reduction in pest damage and earlier maturity for the nectariless cultivar has considerable significance for cotton crop production