“Of the PhytoGen brand varieties with WideStrike 3, we saw strong protection across the season. Even in higher-pressure areas, the crop stayed healthy, and held on to fruit better than expected.”
Joel Faircloth, Corteva Portfolio Lead
INSECT PROTECTION THAT DEFENDS YIELD POTENTIAL
KEEP YOUR COTTON PROTECTED FROM INSECTS
The WideStrike® 3 insect protection trait offers unrivaled control.
You know how fast insect pressure can take hold. Cotton bollworm, armyworm, pink bollworm, and other lepidopteran pests can threaten plant health, damage bolls, and add pressure during the most critical stages of the season.
That’s why PhytoGen® cottonseed includes the WideStrike 3 trait in all Upland and Acala varieties. The WideStrike 3 trait is designed to help keep cotton protected from insects with an unrivaled combination of three Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins — giving you an advantage against key pests and helping plants stay healthier throughout the season.
PROTECTION WITH 3 BT PROTEINS
The WideStrike 3 trait delivers built-in insect protection through three Bt proteins:
- Cry1Ac (Bt protein)
- Cry1F (Bt protein)
- Vip3A (vegetative insecticidal Bt protein)
DEFEND AGINST DAMAGING PESTS
You won't find this combination of powerful genes in any other Bt cotton. Together, they help defend against damaging pests, including:
- Cotton bollworm
- Cotton armyworm
- Pink bollworm
- Corn earworm
- Beet armyworm
- Other Lepidopteran pests
BENEFITS OF INSECT PROTECTION
The WideStrike 3 trait protects plants from insects during key reproductive stages, protecting your yield potential. This trait technology also helps support:
- Improved crop resilience in high-pressure environments
- More consistent fruit retention
- Reduced stress on developing plants
FIND VARIETIES WITH THE WIDESTRIKE 3 TRAIT FOR YOUR REGION
View PhytoGen® brand varieties to explore trait packages you need to manage insect pressure on your acres.
EXPLORE VARIETIESINSECT PROTECTION IN HIGHER-PRESSURE AREAS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT INSECT PROTECTION
WHAT INSECTS DOES THE WIDESTRIKE 3 TRAIT PROTECT AGAINST?
The WideStrike 3 trait helps protect cotton from bollworm, armyworm, pink bollworm, and other damaging Lepidopteran pests.
IS THE WIDESTRIKE 3 TRAIT BETTER AT CONTROLLING COTTON BOLLWORM?
In comparison to WideStrike, the WideStrike 3 trait provides broader protection from cotton bollworm and other caterpillar pests, including those that may have some resistance to earlier Bt proteins.
HOW DOES INSECT PROTECTION SUPPORT COTTON YIELD POTENTIAL?
By protecting squares, flowers, and bolls from insect feeding, plants can maintain fruit set across key positions and progress through critical reproductive stages, supporting yield potential.
DOES THE WIDESTRIKE 3 TRAIT REPLACE SCOUTING OR SPRAYING?
No. Even with built-in protection, regular scouting and integrated pest management practices are recommended. Follow local guidance and thresholds.
DO ALL PHYTOGEN BRAND VARIETIES HAVE THE WIDESTRIKE OR WIDESTRIKE 3 TRAIT?
All Upland PhytoGen brand varieties include the WideStrike 3 trait and all Acala PhytoGen brand varieties include the Widestrike trait.
HOW DOES THE WIDESTRIKE 3 TRAIT FIT INTO OVERALL PEST MANAGEMENT?
It is one component of an integrated insect management strategy — early-season vigor, strong genetics, and local agronomic guidance also play parts.
RELATED ARTICLES
Producer “Didn't Spend a Dime” On Worm Application
Cotton producer David Pearson says PhytoGen cottonseed with WideStrike 3 Insect Protection controlled bollworms and kept them below threshold levels.
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Control Worms with Three-Gene Protection
Available only in PhytoGen cottonseed, the WideStrike 3 trait is a three-gene Bt technology in cotton for better trait durability and resistance management.
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Protecting Cotton Against Worms
Dr. Chad Brewer, PhytoGen cotton development specialist, talks about the WideStrike 3 insect protection trait and its improved worm control compared to two-gene Bt technologies.
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