DEFEND YOUR YIELD POTENTIAL
MANAGE NEMATODES AND DISEASE PRESSURE WITH CONFIDENCE
Get traits that help protect yields across acres for peace of mind all season long.
Cotton nematodes and diseases like bacterial blight can limit yields across entire fields. Many growers face recurring pressure from root-knot nematodes (RKN), reniform nematodes (REN), bacterial blight, Verticillium wilt, and Fusarium Race 4 — issues that reduce yield, can be costly, difficult to manage, and unpredictable season to season.
PhytoGen® cottonseed is bred to help you take control of these challenges. With both root-knot and reniform nematode resistance, bacterial blight resistance, and tolerance to key soilborne diseases, PhytoGen® brand varieties offer 24/7 built-in protection that helps simplify management and support crop health from emergence through harvest.
This built-in trait package helps you manage cotton nematodes and diseases with protection that won’t fade through the season, unlike relying solely on expensive chemical treatments. Plus, since these traits may reduce certain inputs, you can factor that into field-level ROI calculations.
HOW PHYTOGEN BREEDING TRAITS PROTECT AGAINST NEMATODES
PhytoGen is an industry leader of advanced traits for cotton nematode problems. In fact, you’ll find more PhytoGen brand varieties with stacked RKN and REN resistance than any other brand.
What are root-knot and reniform nematodes?
RKN and REN are microscopic wormlike organisms that can cause exponential damage to the root systems of cotton plants.
What do root-knot and reniform nematodes impact?
RKN drains plants’ photosynthate and nutrients, and can be responsible for up to a 75% loss in yield. In sandy, droughty soils, losses can approach 80%.
REN can stunt plant growth and vigor by feeding on the roots. Reniform damage is also a stress multiplier — making your plants less resilient against other challenges in the field. Damage from REN can result in yield losses of up to 50%.
Who’s at risk for root-knot and reniform nematodes?
The highest densities of RKN are found in the Midsouth, Southeast, and West Texas.
REN are found across the Cotton Belt from Texas to the Carolinas.
Stacked root-knot and reniform nematode resistance
Growers like you choose PhytoGen cottonseed for proven performance backed by science — not tradition. PhytoGen was the first brand with stacked resistance to both root-knot nematodes and reniform nematodes. And that helps you improve soil health and support plant vigor for a yield you can count on.
Scientific proof:
- Cotton fields planted to PhytoGen brand varieties with both RKN and REN traits increased yields from 175 to 502 pounds per acre compared to other brand varieties without both nematode resistance traits.
- PhytoGen brand varieties with both REN and RKN resistance traits were also shown to reduce reniform populations by 73%. (Mississippi State University, 2024)
Planting PhytoGen brand varieties with REN and RKN resistance can reduce nematode populations and improve field health. That means increased cotton yield potential, as well as improved soybean production, the following season.
These traits help reduce:
- Cotton nematode problems in areas where sand or mixed soils are infested
- Early-season cotton nematodes that restrict root growth
- Long-term nematode buildup across rotations
WHAT GROWERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PHYTOGEN NEMATODE RESISTANCE
Rodney Helton, Atmore, Alabama
“By the first of July, my chemical bill was about $200,000 cheaper than it was the year before. And the yields are higher — a good bit higher.”
Mike Griffin, Virginia
"We saw an increase in plant height and an increase in yield from what we would normally expect in that field. PhytoGen Breeding Traits provide season-long protection and a noticeable difference."
John Ruark, Bostwick, Georgia
“I would say it’s in the $45/A range to put enough down to treat your nematodes. Now, I don’t put anything down and we don’t have any trouble with the nematodes.”
Austin Warbington, Dooly County, Georgia
“Instead of having to use a nematicide, you’re able to save that and don’t have to apply it… It saves time, money, and energy.”
Dean Vardeman, Texas
“We could not contend with reniform nematodes any other way that was feasible. Reniform resistance from PhytoGen is the answer. Now we’re producing 3.25 to 3.5 bales of cotton per acre — the best yields those fields have seen in 15 years. It’s a dramatic difference. This reniform resistance is a dream come true.”
Chris Hill, Twiggs County, Georgia
“Year in and year out, we average about 5,000 pounds on our peanut acres. But we hit 6,000 pounds per acre on the field that followed the PhytoGen variety. I think the root-knot nematodes have been holding us back more than we realized on our peanuts.”
HOW PHYTOGEN BREEDING TRAITS PROTECT AGAINST DISEASES
PhytoGen brand varieties are bred to protect your yield potential from bacterial blight cotton diseases, and diseases caused by soilborne fungi like Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt race 4.
Bacterial blight resistance
All Upland PhytoGen brand varieties include industry-leading bacterial blight resistance. And because there are no chemical options to prevent bacterial blight, this built-in protection is the only reliable defense for season-long plant health. The result: plants that hold structure, retain fruit, and stay vigorous to support strong yield potential. With bacterial blight resistance in place, you gain greater peace of mind that your cotton crop is positioned to support strong yield potential.
What is bacterial blight?
Bacterial blight is a dangerous threat to your cotton that can lead to seeding blight, leaf spot, black arm, and boll rot.
What does bacterial blight impact?
It has a tremendous impact on your production and profitability by reducing both quality and yield.
Who’s at risk for bacterial blight?
All cotton regions are at high risk. Field infestations seem to come out of nowhere and linger. The bacteria can survive in crop debris, and strike next growing season.
"Bacterial blight protection is important in the years when I need it. You never know when it’s going to hit, so it’s good insurance. It’s just part of the PhytoGen package that contributes to the yield and quality."
Doug Scott, Missouri
Verticillium wilt tolerance
Verticillium wilt can reduce plant vitality, weaken stands and impact crop performance, especially in fields with a history of soilborne disease. With no preventive chemical control for Vert wilt, built-in protection is your go-to strategy to protect stands and top-end yield potential from the disease. Select PhytoGen brand varieties include tolerance to Vert wilt, helping plants stay healthier and more resilient through mid- and late-season stress. This tolerance supports more stable performance across diverse environments, particularly in soils where disease pressure is common.
What is Verticillium wilt?
Vert wilt is a soil-borne fungus that can cause extensive crop damage. With the ability to survive in the soil for extremely long periods of time, it attacks the roots of the cotton plant and spreads through the plant vascular system.
What does Verticillium wilt impact?
With the ability to kill the plant and diminish yield, Vert wilt has been characterized as the most economically important disease in the Southern High Plains.
Who’s at risk for Verticillium wilt?
The highest density of Vert wilt is found in West Texas, but it is also prevalent in other areas of the Cotton Belt.
Fusarium Race 4 tolerance
Fusarium Race 4 (FOV Race 4) can threaten stand establishment and limit fiber quality potential in affected fields, and there are no chemical treatments to prevent it. That’s why genetic tolerance is the only effective defense. Select PhytoGen brand varieties with FOV Race 4 tolerance helps protect developing seedlings and support healthier plant growth in challenging conditions. This genetic advantage provides growers with confidence when managing fields with known disease history or variable soil environments.
What is Fusarium Race 4?
FOV Race 4 is a soil-borne disease that is particularly challenging because it can survive in plant debris and soil. That means the spores can stay in your field for years, threatening future yield.
What does Fusarium Race 4 impact?
Once cotton plants are infected, the fungus spreads through the xylem, partially blocking water intake. This can lead to yield losses and reduced fiber quality.
Who’s at risk for Fusarium Race 4?
Currently FOV Race 4 is found in Pima and Acala varieties in California. Because it is so pervasive, containment of an outbreak is essential.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT NEMATODE AND DISEASE CONTROL
HOW DO PHYTOGEN BRAND VARIETIES HELP MANAGE COTTON NEMATODES?
Through built-in stacked traits for both root-knot and reniform nematodes. With this protection, populations can be reduced, which improves soil health and future yield potential.
WHICH PHYTOGEN BRAND VARIETIES ARE RESISTANT TO ROOT-KNOT NEMATODES?
All varieties for the South Central, Southwest plains, Southeast, and Midsouth regions contain RKN resistance. Check the variety guide for region-specific options.
WHAT IS THE ROI OF GENETIC NEMATODE RESISTANCE VS. FUMIGATION?
Growers commonly reduce or eliminate nematicide applications when planting PhytoGen brand varieties with nematode resistant traits — helping to save time, labor, and input costs while supporting yield potential. Find your local team member for more information.
HOW DOES PHYTOGEN COMPARE TO FIBERMAX®/STONEVILLE® FOR NEMATODE RESISTANCE?
PhytoGen has two modes of action providing stacked root-knot and reniform resistance — while competitors often provide only single-mode protection.
DOES DISEASE TOLERANCE REPLACE FUNGICIDE USE?
No. It provides genetic support to help plants stay healthier, but local agronomic guidance and scouting are still essential to a crop management plan.
NEED HELP IDENTIFYING VARIETIES FOR YOUR FIELDS?
Your local PhytoGen agronomist brings practical insight into soil fertility, weed control and cotton plant needs — so you can plant varieties that perform on your ground.
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