INSECT PEST DYNAMICS, YIELD PERFORMANCE AND FIBER QUALITY OF BT AND NON- BT COTTON VARIETIES IN ZARIA, KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

Field experiments were conducted during the 2024 wet season at the Institute for Agricultural Research, Samaru, Zaria, to evaluate insect pest dynamics, yield performance and fiber quality of Bt and non Bt cotton varieties. Eight cotton varieties comprising six non-Bt (SAMCOT 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13) and two Bt varieties (BG-I and BG-II) were laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. No insecticide was applied to allow natural pest infestation. Population densities of major sucking pests (whitefly, jassid and thrips), bollworms, boll damage, seed-cotton yield and fiber quality parameters were assessed. Results revealed significant varietal differences in pest infestation and yield attributes. Bt cotton varieties recorded significantly (p≤0.05) lower populations of American and pink bollworms, reduced boll damage and higher number of bolls per plant compared with non-Bt varieties. However, sucking pests were prevalent across both Bt and non-Bt varieties, with some SAMCOT lines showing higher susceptibility. Bt varieties, particularly BG-I, produced higher lint yield, lower percentage lint damage and superior overall performance. Ginning percentage and seed weight did not differ significantly among varieties. The study demonstrates that while Bt cotton effectively suppresses bollworms and enhances yield and lint quality, sucking pests remain an important constraint requiring an integrated pest management strategy.