MEMORANDUM

Date: January 23, 2009

To: Participants of the 2009 Louisiana Cotton Variety Test

From: David Caldwell
Red River Research Station
Bossier City, Louisiana

Re: Cotton Variety and Strain Tests for 2009

Attached are entry forms for the 2009 Cotton OVT and the Commercial Strain Tests for Louisiana. Please review the instructions and return the application by March 1, 2009.

In 2009, we anticipate conducting the following tests at 4 locations.

+ The commercial strains test will be conducted if enough varieties are submitted for this test.

*Selected varieties will be included in the root-knot screening test at Bossier City.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

David Caldwell and Jim Hayes

Attachment

Louisiana Cotton Variety Testing Program

The 2009 Louisiana Cotton OVT will be conducted at four locations which represent the major cotton growing regions of the state. These locations are: Dean Lee Research Station, Alexandria; Northeast Research Station, St. Joseph; Macon Ridge Research Station, Winnsboro; and Red River Research Station, Bossier City. Entries at each location are placed in one of two tests based on the submitting company’s designation as either early-maturing or medium-maturing. Companies submitting varieties determine the appropriate maturity group test for their variety. At least two standard varieties will be included for comparison purposes in both tests.

If a large number of entries are submitted for the OVT, a separate “first-year variety test” may be conducted at each location to accommodate varieties that have not been tested at least once in the past. Companies are encouraged to submit transgenic cotton varieties that are currently being marketed or will be marketed in the future. The state variety testing coordinator may request additional information on submitted varieties. Entries that do not have a proven record should be entered in the state strain tests. The variety testing fee is $900 per entry to be included in all four locations in Louisiana, and a submission of 15 pounds of seed for each entry are required for testing at all locations.

Seed for all tests must be acid-delinted. Fungicide treatment is optional, but recommended. Do not treat entries with systemic insecticides/nematicides. Having some entries treated with a systemic chemical may give those cultivars an advantage over entries not so treated. This would add uncontrolled variability to the tests that cannot be removed statistically. All seed will be treated by the LSU AgCenter with Orthene and recommended rates of Temik, and fungicide will be applied in-furrow to all entries. Please provide documentation of any fungicide seed treatment on each entry you submit for testing in Louisiana.

If enough entries are submitted, the strain tests will be conducted at St. Joseph, Bossier City and Winnsboro, Louisiana. These tests are conducted in a similar manner to the variety tests. Strain entries will be prioritized in the event that the test becomes too large for all entries. The fee for the strain test is $125 per entry per location, and two pounds of seed are required for each location ($375 per entry for all three locations and six pounds of seed are required). Please indicate the desired locations for testing.

Experimental strains will be used for testing purposes only. Seed will not be distributed, used for increases or used as parents in crosses without permission. Seed submitted for variety testing also may be used in other evaluations including nematode, disease, insect and herbicide studies.

Please complete the attached entry form with the variety name and the official brand name of your variety and/or strain as you would like them to appear in the 2009 Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station reports. Also, indicate which maturity group you would like each variety tested in, and list all entries in order of priority. Please identify all transgenic varieties and strains; this will aid in pest control.

In order to help us identify varieties marketed under multiple brand names, please include the variety number for each entry as it will be listed on the seed label.

Return/e-mail entry form to:

Jim Hayes
Red River Research Station
PO Box 8550
Bossier City, LA 71113-8550

Send seed Freight or UPS to:

Jim Hayes
262 Research Station Drive
Bossier City, LA 71112


Phone: (318) 741-7430 (ext. 1205)
Fax: (318) 741-7433

E-Mail: Jim Hayes
E-Mail: Christopher Hardy
E-Mail: Wcaldwell@agctr.lsu.edu

Deadlines for all tests are as follows:

Receipt of list of varieties — March 1, 2009

Receipt of seed — March 14, 2009

Please contact Jim Hayes if there is any delay in shipping seed intended for testing.