Plant pathology and nematology: Effect of seeding rate on verticillium wilt incidence, yield, and value for three cotton cultivars
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Recommendations for managing Verticillium wilt in cotton include planting a partially resistant cultivar at a high seeding rate. Previous work on seeding rates was done with non transgenic cotton cultivars and did not include seed and technology cost or lint value. The objective of this study was to compare the profitability of different seeding rates within traditional row spacing in fields infested with Verticillium dahliae. Three seeding rates (6.5, 13.0, and 22.7 seed m-2) and three cultivars ('AFD 5065B2F', 'Americot (AM) 1532B2RF', and 'Fibermax (FM) 9063B2F') were planted in small plots arranged in a randomized complete block design. The test was conducted at one location in 2008 and three locations in 2009. Plant stands averaged 4.6, 8.4, and 14.3 plants m-2 for the low, intermediate and high seeding rates, respectively. Verticillium wilt incidence was negatively related to seeding rate. At the lowest seeding rate, Verticillium wilt incidence was lower for AFD 5065B2F than AM 1532B2RF or FM 9063B2F; whereas, disease incidence was similar for all three cultivars at the highest seeding rate. At the intermediate seeding rate, AFD 5065B2F had a lower incidence of wilt than FM 9063B2F. Lint yield was positively affected by seeding rate with yields averaging 1248, 1399, and 1490 kg lint ha-1 for the low, intermediate and high seeding rates, respectively. Crop value was reduced for the low seeding rate ($1260 ha-1) when compared to the intermediate ($1381 ha-1) and high seeding rate ($1360 ha-1). Producers with Verticillium wilt would benefit economically by planting at least 13 seed m-2. The Cotton Foundation 2010.
