Should Bollgard® cottons be planted during an optimum planting window?
A. Ideally producers will benefit from optimum planting, which will allow them to take advantage of early season moisture and additional heat units, thereby enhancing yield potential. However, because Bollgard® cottons effectively control tobacco budworm/bollworm and pink bollworm, late planting is not as critical a problem as with non-Bollgard® cottons. Under heavy bollworm pressure, especially during periods of peak bloom, Bollgard® cottons may require supplemental control for this species. Q. Is it really necessary to plant a refuge (non- Bollgard®cotton) adjacent to the Bollgard® cotton field or nearby on the farm? A. Yes, a refuge planting of non-Bollgard® cotton is a requirement for planting Bollgard® cotton. The refuge is essential to delaying insect resistance to Bollgard® cotton. There are three refuge options: Option 1: • For every 100 acres of Bollgard® cotton, plant an additional 25 acres of non-Bollgard® cotton (20 percent refuge). All Bollgard® fields must be within 1 mil
