Beltwide Cotton Conference Cotton Agronomy & Physiology Section Late Season Cotton Canopy Manipulation VIA Aim Managed Maturity – What is it and What are the Benefits to Cotton Production Authors – J.S. Wilson - Raleigh, NC, Joseph Reed - N. Little Rock, AR, Henry R. Mitchell – Louisville, MS, Terry Mize – Kansas City, MO and T. I. Crumby – Bolton, MS, FMC Corporation. Beltwide Cotton Conference Cotton Agronomy & Physiology Section Nashville, TN January 10, 2008 9 November 2007 Company Confidential

Presentation Outline Project Goals and Targets What was learned in 2005 – 06 Proposed Label 2007 Field Program 9 November 2007

9 November 2007

Project Goals and Targets 9 November 2007

What’s the Idea? AIM has shown that it removes late season juvenile growth and immature bolls that do not contribute to the plant’s yield or quality. By shutting down this late season vegetative growth we can stimulate the plant to put valuable resources into the fruit of the plant. This reduction in rank top growth, should facilitate better defoliation, early harvest and promote a more managed maturity. The reduced unproductive top growth should also increase yields and increase some cotton key quality factors. Finally, the removal of this juvenile growth may also reduce the insect population and prevent late season sprays. 9 November 2007

What might except? Earlier harvest as measure by gaining 1-2 weeks before normal harvest time. Improved defoliation as measured by % defoliation and opening up of the upper canopy. Potential yield increases as measured by an increase in harvested lint per acre Potential improved lint quality as measured by micronaire, staple length, strength and reduced trash Reduction of late season insect pests, potentially reducing the need for an insecticide application. 9 November 2007

Managed Maturity only eliminates the upper unproductive leaves and immature bolls 9 November 2007

What was learned in 2005 - 06 9 November 2007

2005 Key Achievements G030.COT.05.01 Aim EC for Cotton Managed Maturity Timing and Rate Results Aim provides good upper canopy defoliation, desiccation and termination control in cotton In the timing study it appears that the later timing (20%) provided more desirable overall results. Yield and Quality Results No significant yield increases were noted There were no significant differences in micronaire, length or strength 9 November 2007

2006 Key Achievements G030.COT.06.01 Aim EC for Cotton Managed Maturity Rate Results Aim provides good upper canopy defoliation and desiccation in cotton. For both factors there was an increase response as the rates increase from 0.004 to 0.01 lb/A Aim did increase the earliness of the cotton versus the untreated checks by 5 to 10% across the rate range. Aim provided good to excellent terminal (range 63 to 82%) control versus the untreated checks. Yield Results No significant yield differences were seen across all trials. There were no significant differences in micronaire, length or strength 9 November 2007

G030.COT.06.02 Aim EC for Cotton Early Termination 2006 Key Achievements G030.COT.06.02 Aim EC for Cotton Early Termination Insecticide Trials Insect Control Results Due to poor late season pressure of pests (bollworms and stinkbugs) no significant differences could be determined between the Aim and Mustang Max. There was a trend towards some activity versus the checks. More testing needs to be done to validate this point. 9 November 2007

Best Management Practices for Aim EC in Cotton Managed Maturity, Based on 05 – 06 Field Program Aim EC Early Termination Usage Chart Crop Variables Spray Don’t Spray 1 Rate 3/8 oz/A - 0.006 lb/A (use 1/2 oz/A - 0.008 lb/A for more rank cotton) Rates higher than 0.008 lb/A 2 Environmental Good soil moisture Dry conditions 3 Timing 15 to 20% open bolls < 10% or > 25% open bolls 4 Management Crop actively growing Crop mature or cutting out 5 Variety Longer season ( DP555) Short season (DP444) 9 November 2007

Proposed Label 9 November 2007

Label Language for Aim Managed Maturity Managed Maturity Application for Cotton Aim EC may be applied as an aid to remove undesirable top growth and reduce unproductive terminal growth. It may be used alone or as a tank mixture with other cotton insecticides and herbicides. Read all product labels and follow all directions and precautions when tank mixing with this product. Timing Apply Aim EC when cotton is actively growing and the plants have 0% to 20% open bolls; with applications at 15% open bolls being optimum. When using the Cotman monitoring program, apply Aim EC at NAWF5, plus 450 – 650 heat units. Avoid Early Termination treatments to fields, or areas of fields, that are stressed. Aim EC Use Rates Apply Aim EC as a broadcast spray at 1/4 fl. oz. per acre (0.004 lb ai per acre) to 1/2 fl. oz. per acre (0.008 lb ai per acre), targeting 3/8 fl. oz. per acre (0.006 lb ai per acre) in spray volume adequate to obtain upper canopy coverage of the plant foliage. In situations of extremely lush growth, apply up to ½ fl. oz. per acre (0.008 lb ai per acre). Applications should be made using a minimum of 10 gallons of finished spray per acre for ground application and a minimum of 5 gallons per acre by air. Good upper canopy coverage is essential for optimum performance. Adjuvants Use a quality crop oil concentrate (COC) at the recommended rate of 1% v/v. 9 November 2007

2007 Field Program 9 November 2007

Objectives of Aim Managed Maturity 2007 Program 1. Generate efficacy data for label support and increase the size of the database. Large scale trials (sides by side comparisons) Consultant program with 21 cooperators with 2-3 site per consultant Replicated Trials University Program – (12 Universities) Cotman Validation – (3 trials) Lower Delta Validation – (4 trials) Variety Validation – (6 trials) 2. Fine tune the issues around use rates, timing of applications (Cotman model) and potential geographical differences like weather and irrigation use. 3. Collect additional yield and quality data. 4. Understand how Managed Maturity fit into a program under typical PGR use and Defoliation Programs. 9 November 2007

Replicated Trials Locations University/ Cooperator State Rates/ Timing Cotman Validation Delta Validation Variety Validation 1 Tom Barber AR X X (2 locations) 2 Keith Edminsten NC 3 Chris Main TN 4 Michael Jones SC 5 Charlie Bormester AL 6 Dan Reynolds MS 7 Sandy Stewart 8 Wayne Keeling TX 9 Billy Warrick 10 Trey Koger 11 J C Banks OK 12 Tim Adcock 13 Richard Griffin LA 9 November 2007

Trial Design : University Protocol - Rates Objective: Generate efficacy data for product/label support and gain local university recommendations. Trt Trt Form Rate Unit Appl. No Name Amt Code 1 Aim 2 EC 0.004 lb ai/A A COC 1.0% v/v A 2 Aim 2 EC 0.006 lb ai/A A COC 1.0% v/v A 3 Aim 2 EC 0.008 lb ai/A A COC 1.0% v/v A 4 Untreated 1. Treatments applied to uniform cotton at the 15% open stage in 10 GPA. 2. Investigate % defoliation, % desiccation and % terminal control @ 7, 14 and 21 DAT. Yield and quality factors. Better define best management practices. 3. Defoliation program will be AIM EC at 0.012 lbai/A plus Ethephon 0.75 lbai/A plus a COC. Retreatment with Aim EC if necessary. 9 November 2007

Data from Dr. Koger (MSU) After Managed Maturity Application University Results – 2007 Data from Dr. Koger (MSU) After Managed Maturity Application Treatment Rate oz/A (lb ai/A) % Defoliation 7 DAT % Desiccation % Terminal Control % Open Bolls Yield Lb/A Aim EC 0.004 5.8 c 11.8 c 60 b 84.8 a 1078 a 0.006 9.5 b 19.5 b 68.8 a 88.3 a 1022 a 0.008 16.3 a 32.5 a 73.8 a 92.8 a 929 a Untreated Check 0 d 0 c 80.5 a 1037 a Timing – 15% Open Boll Target 9 November 2007

Trial Design : Lower Delta Validation Objective: Generate efficacy data to make application recommendations based on the best timing in the lower part of the cotton belt. Trt Trt Form Rate Unit Appl. No Name Amt Code 1 Aim 2 EC 0.006 lb ai/A A COC 1.0% v/v A 2 Aim 2 EC 0.006 lb ai/A B COC 1.0% v/v B 3 Aim 2 EC 0.006 lb ai/A C COC 1.0% v/v C Aim 2 EC 0.006 lb ai/A D COC 1.0% v/v D 5 Untreated 1. A = 5% open boll, B = 15% open boll, C = 25% open boll and D = 35% open boll. 2. Investigate % defoliation, % desiccation and % terminal control @ 7, 14 and 21 DAT. Yield and quality factors. Better define best management practices. 3. Defoliation program will be AIM EC at 0.012 lbai/A plus Ethephon 0.75 lbai/A plus a COC. Retreatment with Aim EC if necessary. 9 November 2007

Lower Delta Validation – 2007 Data from Dr. Koger (MSU) After Managed Maturity Application Treatment Rate oz/A (lb ai/A) Timing Open Boll % Defoliation % Open Bolls Yield Lb/A Aim EC 0.006 5% 73.8 a 90 a 1183 a 15% 60 b 76.3 a 1163 a 25% 63.8 ab 80.0 a 1152 a 35% 67.5 ab 1156 a Untreated - 57.5 b 75.0 a 1100 a 9 November 2007

Trial Design : Variety Validation Objective: Generate efficacy data to ensure there are no differences in variety response to this unique application. Trt Trt Form Rate Unit Appl. No Name Amt Code 1 Aim 2 EC 0.006 lb ai/A A COC 1.0% v/v A 2 Untreated 1. Treatments applied to uniform cotton at the 15% open stage in 10 GPA. 2. Investigate % defoliation, % desiccation and % terminal control @ 7, 14 and 21 DAT. Yield and quality factors. Better define best management practices. 3. Defoliation program will be AIM EC at 0.012 lbai/A plus Ethephon 0.75 lbai/A plus a COC. Retreatment with Aim EC if necessary. 9 November 2007

Variety Validation Results to Date Keith Edmisten (NCSU) – tested three new RR Flex varieties with no differences. Tom Barber (AR) – tested three varieties and there only some differences in initial defoliation. Consultant program – received data from 38 locations with side by side comparison of Aim treated versus untreated. There were 28 difference varieties in this group. No differences were noted in yield or quality. 9 November 2007

Summary 2007 Results Program was very successful in increasing Aim exposure for this use and increasing university and consultant support. About 50 consultant trials and 24 replicated trials were conducted, thus increasing our understanding and database. Patent is complete and submitted. Label will require some minor changes mainly to the Cotman part (recommend NAWF 5 450 – 650). Changing language for 0.008 lb/ A rate. Registration needs to submit via notification ASAP. Rates studies protocols conducted at the universities indicated that the target rates of 3/8/oz were best for defoliation, desiccation, terminal control, open boll and yield. The lower rate (0.004 lb/A) tended to show less plant effects but better yield enhancement. The higher rate (0.008 lb/A) tended to show more plant and lower yields. More data needs to be collected but Cotman model indicated that best results were noted between NAWF 5 @ 450 – 650 HU. Lower Delta Validation protocols showed the best target timing was 15% open bolls, in terms of overall performance i.e. defoliation, open boll and yield. No variety differences were noted across location and seed companies. 9 November 2007

Questions 9 November 2007