Blue and UV LED-induced fluorescence in cotton foreign matter

Background

Cotton is an important domesticated fiber used to manufacture a variety of products and industrial goods. During harvesting with cotton strippers and cotton pickers, it is contaminated with foreign matter from botanical and non-botanical sources which adversely affect the quality and consistency of cotton, and therefore reduces its market value. To improve the current grading done by the High Volume Instrument (HVI) and human inspectors, it was explored whether fluorescence imaging can be used for cotton foreign matter detection.

Results

Eight types of botanical foreign matter (bark, bract, brown leaf, green leaf, hull, seed coat, seed, stem), and four types of non-botanical foreign matter (paper, twine, plastic bale packaging, plastic bag) were subjected to a fluorescence spectroscopy analysis to determine their optimal excitation and emission wavelength range. Matrix 3D scans were performed in the excitation range from 300 nm to 500 nm, and emission range from 320 nm to 700 nm, and the results indicated the photo-excitable fluorescence in the aforementioned excitation range for all the selected foreign matter categories. Consequently, the blue and the UV LEDs were selected as the excitation sources. The blue LED light provided optimal excitation light for bark, brown leaf, bract, green leaf, hull, and stem, while the UV LED light provided optimal excitation light for paper, plastic bag, plastic packaging, seed, seed coat, and twine.

Conclusions

UV and blue light induces fluorescence in 12 types of botanical and non-botanical cotton foreign matter. An imaging apparatus with blue and UV light excitation sources, and a consumer grade SLR camera was successfully developed to capture and characterize fluorescent images of cotton foreign matter. Based on the results, fluorescent imaging could be a promising method for cotton foreign matter detection. Future studies will focus on the classification of cotton foreign matter categories and to further refine the image processing sequence.

     

Light interception and radiation use efficiency of okra and normal leaf cotton isolines

Okra-leaf cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) types have been reputed to produce equal or higher amounts of lint yield than normal-leaf types, while intercepting less or similar amounts of radiation. In this field study, okra- and normal-leaf cotton isolines were compared for their efficiency to produce dry matter utilizing intercepted radiation. At three weeks after first flower, the two leaf-shape isolines produced similar amounts of dry matter, with the okra-leaf type partitioning a larger fraction to fruiting organs. However, at the end of the season no differences in lint yield, yield components and fiber-quality properties were recorded between the two isolines. Fractional light interception throughout the period of the study was greater for the normal-leaf type compared to the okra-leaf type. The okra-leaf isoline utilized intercepted radiation more efficiently to produce dry matter. Values of radiation use efficiency were estimated at 1.897 and 2.636 g MJ⁻¹ of intercepted photosynthetically active radiation for the normal- and okra-leaf types, respectively. Growth chamber studies revealed similar single leaf carbon exchange rates, therefore radiation use efficiency differences between the leaf shape isolines could be attributed to light interception characteristics.     

Impact of Rotylenchulus reniformis on Cotton Yield as Affected by Soil Texture and Irrigation

The effects of soil type, irrigation, and population density of Rotylenchulus reniformis on cotton were evaluated in a two-year microplot experiment. Six soil types, Fuquay sand, Norfolk sandy loam, Portsmouth loamy sand, Muck, Cecil sandy loam, and Cecil sandy clay, were arranged in randomized complete blocks with five replications. Each block had numerous plots previously inoculated with R. reniformis and two or more noninoculated microplots per soil type, one half of which were irrigated in each replicate for a total of 240 plots. Greatest cotton lint yields were achieved in the Muck, Norfolk sandy loam, and Portsmouth loamy sand soils. Cotton yield in the Portsmouth loamy sand did not differ from the Muck soil which averaged the greatest lint yield per plot of all soil types. Cotton yield was negatively related to R. reniformis PI (initial population density) in all soil types except for the Cecil sandy clay which had the highest clay content. Supplemental irrigation increased yields in the higher yielding Muck, Norfolk sandy loam, and Portsmouth loamy sand soils compared to the lower yielding Cecil sandy clay, Cecil sandy loam, and Fuquay sand soils. The Portsmouth sandy loam was among the highest yielding soils, and also supported the greatest R. reniformis population density. Cotton lint yield was affected more by R. reniformis Pi with irrigation in the Portsmouth loamy sand soil with a greater influence of Pi on lint yield in irrigated plots than other soils. A significant first degree PI × irrigation interaction for this soil type confirms this observation.     

Nematicides and Nonconventional Soil Amendments in the Management of Root-Knot Nematode on Cotton

Granular and liquid commercial humates, with micronutrients, and a microbial fermentation product were compared in several combinations with nematicides for their effects on cotton lint yield and root-knot nematode suppression. Fumigant nematicides effectively reduced cotton root galling caused by root-knot nematodes, and cotton lint yields increased. Organophosphates and carbamates were not effective. Occasionally, cotton lint yields were increased or maintained with combination treatments o f humates, micronutrients, and a microbial fermentation product, but galling o f cotton roots by root-knot nematodes was usually not reduced by these treatments.     

Growth characteristics of three Fusarium species evaluated by near-infrared hyperspectral imaging and multivariate image analysis

Colony growth of three Fusarium spp. on potato dextrose agar was followed by collecting near-infrared (NIR) hyperspectral images of the colonies at regular intervals after inoculation up to 55?h. After principal component analysis (PCA), two clusters were apparent in the score plot along principal component 1. Using the brushing technique, these clusters were divided into four groups of pixels with similar score values. These could be visualised as growth zones within the colonies in the corresponding score image. Three spectral bands, i.e. 1,166, 1,380 and 1,918?nm, were prominent in the multiplicative scatter corrected and Savitzky?CGolay second derivative spectra. These indicated chemical changes, associated with carbohydrates (1,166 and 1,380?nm) and protein (1,918?nm), that occurred as the mycelium grew and matured. The protein band was more prominent in the mature fungal material while the carbohydrate band was less pronounced. The younger material and the agar were characterised by the carbohydrate spectral band. Integrating whole mycelium colonies as the sum of pixels over time made it possible to construct curves that resembled growth curves; this included the lag phase, active growth phase, deceleration phase and phase of constant growth. Growth profiles constructed from individual growth zones indicated more detailed growth characteristics. The use of NIR hyperspectral imaging and multivariate image analysis (MIA) allowed one to visualise radial growth rings in the PCA score images. This would not have been possible with bulk spectroscopy. Interpreting spectral data enabled better understanding of microbial growth characteristics on agar medium. NIR hyperspectral imaging combined with MIA is a powerful tool for the evaluation of growth characteristics of fungi.     

134份国外陆地棉种质主要农艺性状与纤维品质性状的遗传多样性分析

为拓宽本地棉花种质基因库,筛选适于作杂交亲本的种质资源,以134份国外棉花种质为试验材料,研究了其主要品质与农艺性状的变异情况、遗传多样性指数、品质性状间的相关性,并以主要农艺与品质性状为指标,对134份种质进行了聚类分析和主成分分析。结果表明,纤维品质性状中整齐度指数的遗传多样性指数(5.16)最高,马克隆值的变异系数(11.96%)最大,农艺性状中霜前衣分的遗传多样性指数(5.42)最高,不孕籽率的变异系数(49.18%)最大,参试种质的遗传多样性丰富;整齐度指数与上半部平均长度、断裂比强度均呈极显著正相关,断裂比强度与上半部平均长度间也呈极显著正相关;10个农艺性状和5个品质性状的主成分分析结果表明,前6个主成分的累计贡献率达75.277%;Ward法聚类将134份参试种质按品质性状分为5类,其中第Ⅱ类群的35份种质棉纤维品质性状表现最好,按农艺性状分为3类,其中第Ⅰ类群的58份种质产量最高。通过综合35份纤维品质优异的种质与58份农艺性状优异的种质筛选出美1870、美1884、FM1830等14份品质与产量俱佳的优异种质。     

海岛棉F1产量性状的条件遗传分析

调查了海岛棉5×4不完全双列杂交实验的3年产量性状资料,运用包括加性、显性、加性×环境互作、显性×环境互作的遗传模型进行条件和非条件的遗传分析.双列杂交的亲本具有不同果枝类型.非条件遗传方差结果表明,总皮棉产量没有检测到显著的非条件加性效应方差.但是铃重、霜前铃数、霜后铃数以及霜前皮棉产量的条件分析结果发现这些性状的加性效应均对总皮棉产量的加性效应有贡献.因此,可通过这些性状改良总皮棉产量的加性效应表现.当某材料产量构成因素的加性贡献率比较高时,选择该材料作为杂交亲本可望获得具有较好总皮棉产量表现的后代.各产量构成因素的显性效应对霜前皮棉产量和总皮棉产量的杂种优势具有较大的贡献率.产量构成因素之间又相互影响.那些能够检测到显著的正向贡献率的性状将为进一步改良目标性状提供可能.本研究结果显示运用条件分析方法不仅能分析原因性状对目标性状的贡献率,还可以分析特定亲本(或组合)的某一性状对该亲本或组合目标性状的作用大小和正负,据此就可以指导某一亲本后代或组合的目标性状的间接选择.这对实际育种中具体组合的选择具有重要的意义.     

Genetic Analysis for F1 Yield Traits with Conditional Approach in Island Cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)

A genetic model with additive, dominance and genotype × environment interaction effect was employed to analyze the 3-year data of F₁ hybrids from 5 × 4 diallel cross, whose parents were Island cotton and had different fruit branch types. Unconditional and conditional genetic variances were conducted for analyze genetic impacts of yield components on yield. Results of unconditional genetic variances showed that there were no additive variance of total lint yield. But conditional additive effects of total lint yield, when excluding the phenotype of boll weight, boll number at prefrost, boll number at postfrost, and lint yield at prefrost, indicated that improving the additive effects of the total lint yield was still possible. Crossing and selecting component traits with high contributive additive effects could obtain good offsprings. Yield components contributed large dominance effects to the heterosis of lint yield at prefrost and total lint yield in crosses. Yield component traits were controlled with each other. The traits having positive contributive effects could be applied to further improve target traits.     

Effect of Plant Growth Regulators on Agronomic Characteristics,Lint Quality,Pests, and Predators in Cotton

Field experiments were conducted with some commercial plant growth regulators (PGRs) to determine their effects on agronomic characteristics, pest densities, and predators when administered as a foliar spay on cotton at Adnan Menderes University Agricultural Research Center located in Aydin, Turkey, during the 2006 and 2007 cotton-growing seasons. The three commercial PGRs, Pix, Tonic, and Turbo pamuk, were sprayed at recommended doses and application time during the study. Application of PGRs significantly positively affected the yield, plant height, average number of open bolls, and predators, and significantly decreased the population densities of some economically important cotton pests. However, lint quality, ginning turnout, and average of seed cotton weight were not affected by the treatments. More yield was obtained in Pix- and Turbo pamuk-treated plots. The lowest densities of Bemisia tabaci, Frankliniella spp., and leaves infested with Liriomyza trifolii were recorded in Pix-treated plots. Although Turbo pamuk and Tonic numerically lowered the pest population densities compared to the control, the changes were not significant and these PGRs were not as effective as Pix. Furthermore, Empoasca spp. was not affected by the treatments. Populations of predators were not affected by the PGRs in Aranea orders, but were affected in Heteroptera, Neuroptera, Coleoptera, and Thysanoptera. Pix proved more suitable than others to producing resistance against pests and increasing the yields. PGRs neither enhanced any insect attack nor reduced predators in the study. Therefore, PGRs may be considered a component of Integrated Pest Management to provide higher yields in cotton.     

Association Mapping for Epistasis and Environmental Interaction of Yield Traits in 323 Cotton Cultivars under 9 Different Environments

Improving yield is a major objective for cotton breeding schemes, and lint yield and its three component traits (boll number, boll weight and lint percentage) are complex traits controlled by multiple genes and various environments. Association mapping was performed to detect markers associated with these four traits using 651 simple sequence repeats (SSRs). A mixed linear model including epistasis and environmental interaction was used to screen the loci associated with these four yield traits by 323 accessions of Gossypium hirsutum L. evaluated in nine different environments. 251 significant loci were detected to be associated with lint yield and its three components, including 69 loci with individual effects and all involved in epistasis interactions. These significant loci explain ∼ 62.05% of the phenotypic variance (ranging from 49.06% ∼ 72.29% for these four traits). It was indicated by high contribution of environmental interaction to the phenotypic variance for lint yield and boll numbers, that genetic effects of SSR loci were susceptible to environment factors. Shared loci were also observed among these four traits, which may be used for simultaneous improvement in cotton breeding for yield traits. Furthermore, consistent and elite loci were screened with −Log₁₀ (P-value) >8.0 based on predicted effects of loci detected in different environments. There was one locus and 6 pairs of epistasis for lint yield, 4 loci and 10 epistasis for boll number, 15 loci and 2 epistasis for boll weight, and 2 loci and 5 epistasis for lint percentage, respectively. These results provided insights into the genetic basis of lint yield and its components and may be useful for marker-assisted breeding to improve cotton production.     

Crop-specific mortality of southern green stink bug eggs in Bt- and non-Bt cotton,soybean and peanut

Increasing insecticide use against stink bugs erodes benefits accrued to cotton production in the southeastern USA by eradication of the boll weevil and widespread use of Bt-transgenic cotton. Biological control programs designed to mitigate the impact of these pests would be beneficial; therefore, we sought to identify and assess naturally occurring biological control agents of stink bug eggs in cotton, peanut and soybeans, three important crops and stink bug hosts in the region. Two studies were conducted utilising digital imaging of sentinel egg masses to capture enemies present and sequential imaging over time to characterise the type and amount of damage inflicted on the egg masses. The first study utilised plots of soybean, Bt cotton, non-Bt cotton and peanut. The second study focused on ant predation in cotton by excluding fire ants from half of the plots. Sentinel egg masses of the southern green stink bug were placed in all plots at weekly intervals and were photographed at placement and at intervals over 72 h. Surviving egg masses were collected and held in the laboratory to assess parasitism in the first study. Predation of eggs was high in peanut (74–86%) and soybean (39–65%), and lower in Bt (26–34%) and non-Bt (4–21%) cotton over the two years. Parasitism was low overall (0.17–19.0%). Most egg predation in cotton and peanut was attributable to fire ants, whereas long-horned grasshoppers dominated in soybean. Exclusion of fire ants in cotton significantly reduced egg mortality, indicating their predominance as mortality agents in cotton.     

Stink Bug Feeding Induces Fluorescence in Developing Cotton Bolls

Background

Stink bugs (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) comprise a critically important insect pest complex affecting 12 major crops worldwide including cotton. In the US, stink bug damage to developing cotton bolls causes boll abscission, lint staining, reduced fiber quality, and reduced yields with estimated losses ranging from 10 to 60 million dollars annually. Unfortunately, scouting for stink bug damage in the field is laborious and excessively time consuming. To improve scouting accuracy and efficiency, we investigated fluorescence changes in cotton boll tissues as a result of stink bug feeding.

Results

Fluorescent imaging under long-wave ultraviolet light showed that stink bug-damaged lint, the inner carpal wall, and the outside of the boll emitted strong blue-green fluorescence in a circular region near the puncture wound, whereas undamaged tissue emissions occurred at different wavelengths; the much weaker emission of undamaged tissue was dominated by chlorophyll fluorescence. We further characterized the optimum emission and excitation spectra to distinguish between stink bug damaged bolls from undamaged bolls.

Conclusions

The observed characteristic fluorescence peaks associated with stink bug damage give rise to a fluorescence-based method to rapidly distinguish between undamaged and stink bug damaged cotton bolls. Based on the fluorescent fingerprint, we envision a fluorescence reflectance imaging or a fluorescence ratiometric device to assist pest management professionals with rapidly determining the extent of stink bug damage in a cotton field.     

播期对内蒙古西部荒漠区棉花产量、品质及养分吸收利用的影响

于2014—2015年在内蒙古自治区阿拉善盟阿拉善左旗内蒙古棉花综合实验站设置大田试验,以‘中棉所50’为材料,采用“一膜三管六行”机采棉配套栽培技术种植,研究播期(4月20日、4月30日和5月10日)对棉花产量、品质及养分吸收的影响.结果表明: 随着播期推迟,棉花生育时期推迟,生育期缩短,铃期日均温降低,收获密度增加;播期显著影响棉株干物质累积、养分吸收与分配,以及产量和品质形成,4月30日播种条件下,棉株干物质和养分在经济器官中的分配比例、养分总积累量及养分的皮棉生产效率较高,籽棉和皮棉产量最高,达6505.9和2660.9 kg·hm^-2,且纤维品质较优;4月20日播期下,收获密度、生物量和养分累积量最低,虽然生物量和养分经济系数最高,但最终籽棉和皮棉产量仍较4月30日播期降低10.9%～14.0%和11.1%～14.2%;5月10日播期,虽然可以避开种子萌发期低温冷害,但棉铃发育期日均温偏低,尽管生物量和养分累积量最高,但是生物量和养分经济系数、养分的皮棉生产效率最低,最终籽棉和皮棉产量较4月30日播期降低32.5%～34.7%和35.9%～36.2%,且纤维品质最差.综合分析, 4月30日左右为内蒙古西部荒漠旱区棉花种植的最佳播期.     

Relationship between Aphis gossypii (Homoptera: Aphididae) and sticky lint in cotton

The study was conducted in the northern Texas Rolling Plains in 1999 to define the relationship between number of cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, and resulting contamination of cotton lint by honeydew. Whole-plot treatments were three furrow irrigation management treatments: cotton grown without supplemental irrigation (dryland), irrigated cotton with last irrigation in mid August, and irrigated cotton with last irrigation in late August. Subplots within each irrigation treatment included an untreated check, a plot treated with lambda-cyhalothrin to stimulate aphid population increase, a plot treated with lambda-cyhalothrin followed by pymetrozine after aphids began to increase, and a plot treated with lambda-cyhalothrin followed by thiamethoxam after aphids began to increase. Cotton aphids were counted on leaves picked from the top and bottom half of the plant. Cotton lint was analyzed for contamination by glucose, fructose, sucrose, and melezitose secreted by cotton aphids, and percentage leaf moisture and nitrogen and leaf sucrose concentrations were determined. The manual sticky cotton thermodetector was used to determine degree of lint stickinesss. There was a significant relationship between thermodetector counts and melezitose contamination on lint, and a melezitose concentration of 90.9 microg/g of lint was associated with a thermodetector count of 10, the threshold for sticky lint problems in textile mills. An equation was developed to estimate melezitose concentration on lint as a function of average numbers of aphids per leaf and the interaction between percentage leaf moisture and nitrogen. The number of aphids per leaf associated with a melezitose concentration of 90.9 microg/g of lint ranged from 11.1 to 50.1, depending on percentage leaf moisture and nitrogen. The threshold for sticky lint problems occurred when aphid numbers ranged between 11.1 and 50.1 per leaf after bolls open.     

广西南部宿生陆地棉的产量构成因素及其通径分析

棉花宿生栽培对于雄性不育系的多年生保持和杂交制种,固定杂种优势、加速杂种优势利用和保存种质资源具有重要意义。探讨陆地棉宿生栽培的产量构成因素及其对产量形成的影响,为陆地棉宿生栽培提供理论依据。采用随机区组设计,对三年生、二年生宿生陆地棉的产量构成因素及其对产量形成的影响进行比较研究。结果表明:与一年生棉比较,宿生棉单位面积总铃数明显增多,多数品种的单铃重无明显变化,衣分变化因品种而异。三年生和二年生各因素对产量影响的趋势一致,总铃数影响最大,衣分影响次之,两者主要是直接影响;单铃重通过总铃数的间接影响较大。一年生各因素对产量影响略有不同。宿生栽培的总铃数明显增多,是增产的主要原因,同时应选择衣分高、受宿生年限影响小的品种。     

利用重组自交系进行陆地棉产量及产量构成因子性状的QTL定位

以高产陆地棉栽培品种中棉所12和8891的杂交组合湘杂棉2号为材料,采用单粒传法构建了含有180个家系的重组自交系(RILs)群体。本研究的目的是分析产量及其构成因子的相互关系并进行相应的QTL定位。重组自交系群体、两亲本和F1于2002年、2003年分别种植于南京农业大学江浦实验农场和江苏省灌云棉花基地。收获每行中间五株的籽棉并考察产量及产量构成因子性状。调查的产量及产量构成因子性状包括单株籽棉产量、单株皮棉产量、单株铃数、铃重、衣分、衣指和籽指。筛选了4,106对SSR引物和384个AFLP引物组合,分别得到127和18个多态位点;此外,2个RAPD引物、1个SRAP引物组合以及来自亲本8891的显性黄花药基因P1也被用来作为标记检测群体基因型。最终共获得149个多态位点,其中132个位点分布于26个染色体/连锁群,覆盖865.20cM,约占棉花基因组的18.57%,标记间平均距离6.55cM。利用此遗传图谱结合重组自交系群体3个环境下的产量及产量构成因子性状,应用QTLCartographer2.0的复合区间作图法进行单位点QTL定位。对各环境资料的分离分析共定位出34个QTL,而利用三环境平均值的联合分析定位出15个QTL。本研究定位的QTL可为棉花产量育种提供信息,其中衣分QTLqLP-A10-1在联合分析及分离分析下的两个环境都能检测到,可能对标记辅助选择有实际应用价值。通径分析结果表明,各产量构成因子中,铃数对皮棉产量贡献最大,这与产量构成因素性状在F1的杂种优势表现一致;因此,在棉花育种上,可优先考虑单株铃数并结合其它产量构成因素进行品种选育和杂交组合选配。     

Effects of kaolin-based particle film application on boll weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) injury to cotton

This study examined a non-insecticidal tactic for suppressing boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis grandis Boheman, damage to cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. In cage assays, kaolin, a reflective white mineral, applied to excised cotton squares or to the cotton foliage, initially resulted in lower levels of boll weevil injury to squares than nontreated squares. Boll weevil oviposition and feeding on kaolin-treated squares and squares on kaolin-treated cotton plants increased when nontreated squares and cotton plants were in short supply. A laboratory assay and field trials suggested that boll weevils distinguished between cotton plots based on color differences caused by kaolin and this appeared to influence levels of damage to squares. Random sampling in small plots indicated that oviposition damage to squares in plots treated with kaolin was reduced (P < 0.05) compared with nontreated controls, except when rain washed the kaolin off the foliage. Lint yield differences were not detected between the small plots, but the kaolin-treated small plots yielded as much as 2.36 times more cotton lint than a large but unreplicated adjacent nontreated control plot, and up to 1.39 times more than another large but unreplicated adjacent plot sprayed twice with preemptive applications of azinphosmethyl when cotton squares were first developing (pinhead stage). Potentially important avenues for future research on boll weevil injury suppression using kaolin are discussed.     

Quantifying Potential Tolerance of Selected Cotton Cultivars to Belonolaimus longicaudatus

Glyphosate-tolerant cotton cultivars were evaluated for tolerance to Belonolaimus longicaudatus in field experiments conducted from 2004 to 2005. Field trials were arranged in a split-plot design that included treatment with four levels of 1, 3-dichloropropene (0.0, 13.9, 27.8, and 41.7 1 a.i./ha) to establish a range of population densities of B. longicaudatus. Six cotton cultivars (early-to-mid maturity: DP444BG/RR SG501BR, ST5242BR; mid-to late maturity: DP451B/RR, ST5599BR, DP655BRR) were planted as whole plots. Fumigation was effective in suppressing B. longicaudatus population densities at mid-season, but not at cotton harvest, and increased cotton lint yield. The cultivar × fumigation interaction for cotton lint yield was not significant for the six cultivars evaluated, indicating that tolerance did not occur in this nematode-host combination. Early-to-mid maturity cultivars yielded significantly more than mid-to-late maturity cultivars in both years. Small but significant differences in nematode final population density were observed between cultivars that may be related to relative maturity.     

Yield,development, and quality response of dual‐toxin Bt cotton to Helicoverpa spp. infestations in Australia

To verify current thresholds for Bollgard II^® cotton in Australia, the impact of Helicoverpa spp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae on yield, development, and quality under various infestation intensities and durations, and stages of growth, was tested using small plot field experiments over two seasons. Infestation with up to 80 eggs m^?1 of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) and Helicoverpa punctigera Wallengren showed that species, infestation level, and stage of growth had no significant effect on yields of seed‐cotton or lint and on maturity and fibre quality. The duration of infestation of white flowers with H. punctigera neonates (maximum of every day for up to 4 weeks) had no impact on the yield of seed‐cotton or lint, maturity, and fibre quality, but when 100% of flowers were infested (compared with 0 or 50%), seed‐cotton and lint yields were significantly reduced and maturity was delayed. Infestation with up to 18 medium H. armigera larvae m^?1 at several plant stages did not significantly affect yields of seed‐cotton and lint, maturity, and fibre quality. A heliocide spray applied on a commercial farm at the current threshold resulted in a significantly higher lint yield, compared with a farm where no spray was applied. In conclusion, Bollgard II^® cotton is highly resistant to Helicoverpa spp. infestation.