The development of a more drought-tolerant cotton varieties is good for the world’s biggest cotton patch’s economic stability, reports Southwest Farm Press.
“The 2011 drought drove home how important cotton is to the economic stability of this area,” said Craig Bednarz, manager of the Bayer CropScience West Texas Breeding Program near Idalou.
He said drought-tolerant breeding efforts will focus on the Texas High Plains and Rolling Plains, including Southwest Oklahoma, “where the drought work is needed.” The Idalou facility has added a breeding position that will focus on the drought with native sources.
“Yield stability will be an important target and developing varieties that perform better under drought conditions will help reach that goal,” Bednarz said.