Effects of foliar applied harpin protein on cotton lint yield, fiber quality, and crop maturity^*

Abstract

Yield-enhancing compounds are among the many inputs used in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production systems across the United States Cotton Belt. Some of these products, however, have not been adequately tested in field settings and their impact on cotton yield and quality is unknown. Messenger, marketed by the Eden Bioscience Corporation (Bothell, WA), is a new product containing a protein that may stimulate the hypersensitive response of higher plants, resulting in increased yields. The objective of our investigation was to determine if Messenger applications would result in enhanced cotton crop maturity, lint yield or fiber quality. Messenger studies were conducted in Colquitt, Grady, and Tift Counties in South Georgia and at the University of Georgia Coastal Plain Experiment Station (UGA-CPES) in Tifton in 2000. Plot size at each location ranged from 1.2 ha (Grady County) to 0.01 ha (UGA-CPES). Messenger was applied as a foliar treatment at several stages of crop development at each location with either a John Deere (Moline, IL) high clearance sprayer or a CO₂ backpack sprayer. Mid- and late-season plant maps at each location revealed no significant differences in crop maturity among the treatments. Lint yields in Colquitt, Grady, and Tift Counties and the UGA-CPES averaged 1159, 941, 1292, and 1654 kg ha^{− 1}, respectively with no significant treatment differences within a location. Likewise, Messenger did not significantly affect fiber properties at any location.

^*Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the University of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or other cooperating agencies and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable. Messenger, Eden, and Eden Bioscience are registered trademarks of the Eden Bioscience Corporation.

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Ben Mullinix for assistance with statistical analyses as well as Dudley Cook, Lola Sexton, and Walt Harvey for assistance with data collection.

Notes

^*Mention of a trademark, proprietary product, or vendor does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the University of Georgia, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, or other cooperating agencies and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products or vendors that may also be suitable. Messenger, Eden, and Eden Bioscience are registered trademarks of the Eden Bioscience Corporation.