ST 5855 AXTP Cotton

Strong Stalk Development on Lighter Ground

One of the most distinctive characteristics of ST 5855AXTP is its performance on sandier soils.

BASF specifically identifies the variety as producing a good stalk on sandy ground.

That characteristic can be important in fields where lighter soil creates challenges such as:

• Lower water-holding capacity
• Greater drought stress
• Rapid soil drying
• Greater plant stress
• Variable fertility
• Wind exposure

For growers managing sandy cotton ground, variety selection can have a major impact on how well the crop handles environmental stress.

ST 5855AXTP gives growers a Stoneville option specifically recognized for this type of soil environment.

Four-Way Herbicide Tolerance

ST 5855AXTP carries Axant Flex herbicide tolerance technology, BASF’s quad-stacked cotton herbicide trait.

Axant Flex provides tolerance to:

• Glyphosate
• Glufosinate
• Dicamba
• Isoxaflutole

This gives growers additional flexibility when building a complete weed-management program.

Weed-Control Advantages

• Multiple herbicide options
• Greater flexibility against difficult weeds
• Additional modes of action
• Useful resistance-management tool
• Strong fit within residual herbicide programs

Always follow current herbicide labels, trait requirements, application restrictions, and stewardship guidelines.

Three-Gene Insect Control

ST 5855AXTP also includes the TwinLink Plus trait, providing three-gene insect control. BASF includes TwinLink Plus on all six of the Stoneville and FiberMax varieties introduced with Axant Flex for the 2025 season.

TwinLink Plus Provides:

• Three-gene insect protection
• Built-in protection against targeted lepidopteran pests
• Another tool for insect-resistance management
• Reduced reliance on foliar insecticides for targeted pests
• Protection of yield potential

Trait protection does not eliminate the need for scouting.

Fields should still be monitored for bollworms, thrips, aphids, plant bugs, spider mites, and other economically important cotton pests.

Key Features

Sandy-Soil Performance

ST 5855AXTP is specifically noted for producing a good stalk on sandier soils.

Mid-Full Maturity

The variety is classified as mid- to full-maturing, giving it a longer-season growth profile than early and early-mid Stoneville varieties.

Root-Knot Nematode Tolerance

ST 5855AXTP provides useful genetic protection against root-knot nematode pressure. BASF describes the variety as tolerant, while Extension resistance tables classify it as resistant to root-knot nematode.

Bacterial Blight Resistance

Bacterial blight resistance is another important component of the variety’s disease package.

Strong Micronaire

BASF specifically highlights micronaire as a strength of ST 5855AXTP.

Excellent Fiber Strength

Fiber strength is another standout characteristic of the variety.

Modern Trait Package

Axant Flex and TwinLink Plus provide weed-management flexibility and three-gene insect protection.

Genetic Protection for Nematode Ground

Root-knot nematodes can cause significant cotton yield loss by attacking the root system.

Affected plants may experience:

• Reduced root development
• Poor nutrient uptake
• Reduced water uptake
• Stunting
• Greater drought stress
• Reduced boll development
• Lower yield potential

ST 5855AXTP provides genetic protection against root-knot nematode. BASF describes this characteristic as tolerance, while Extension tables list the variety as resistant to root-knot nematode. For a product page, describing it conservatively as root-knot nematode tolerant is appropriate.

Growers should still use soil sampling and field history to identify the nematode species present before selecting a variety.

Built-In Disease Protection

ST 5855AXTP is resistant to bacterial blight. BASF lists this as one of the defining agronomic characteristics of the variety, and current Extension variety tables also identify ST 5855AXTP as bacterial blight resistant.

Bacterial blight resistance can help reduce production risk where conditions favor disease development.

Resistance Can Help:

• Protect leaf area
• Reduce disease-related stress
• Protect yield potential
• Improve field consistency
• Simplify placement on fields with disease history

Genetic resistance remains one of the most effective tools for managing bacterial blight.

What Does ST 5855AXTP Bring to the Field?

Crop: Upland Cotton

Variety: ST 5855AXTP

Brand: Stoneville

Maturity: Mid-Full

Herbicide Trait: Axant Flex

Insect Trait: TwinLink Plus

Insect Control: Three-Gene

Sandy-Soil Fit: Strong

Stalk on Sandy Soil: Good

Root-Knot Nematode: Tolerant

Bacterial Blight: Resistant

Micronaire: Strong

Fiber Strength: Strong

Primary Texas Regions: Rolling Plains, East Texas, South Texas

Oklahoma Fit: Yes

Southern High Plains: Not specifically listed among BASF’s primary recommended regions

Primary Use: Commercial lint production

What is ST 5855AXTP Cotton?

ST 5855AXTP is a mid-full maturity Stoneville cotton variety with Axant Flex herbicide tolerance, TwinLink Plus insect protection, root-knot nematode tolerance, and bacterial blight resistance.

What maturity is ST 5855AXTP?

It is classified as a mid- to full-maturing variety.

Is ST 5855AXTP good for sandy soil?

Yes. BASF specifically highlights its ability to produce a good stalk on sandier soils.

Is ST 5855AXTP resistant to root-knot nematodes?

BASF describes ST 5855AXTP as having root-knot nematode tolerance. Extension tables classify it as resistant. For variety placement, it is safest to describe the official BASF positioning as root-knot tolerant.

Is ST 5855AXTP resistant to bacterial blight?

Yes. Bacterial blight resistance is part of the variety’s documented disease package.

What does AXTP mean?

AX refers to Axant Flex herbicide tolerance, while TP refers to TwinLink Plus three-gene insect protection.

What herbicide tolerance does Axant Flex provide?

Axant Flex provides tolerance to glyphosate, glufosinate, dicamba, and isoxaflutole.

Does ST 5855AXTP have good fiber quality?

Yes. BASF specifically highlights strong micronaire and fiber strength as advantages of the variety.

Is ST 5855AXTP good for the Texas Rolling Plains?

Yes. The Rolling Plains is specifically included among BASF’s recommended production regions.

Is ST 5855AXTP recommended for the Southern High Plains?

BASF’s published regional recommendations do not specifically list the Southern High Plains for ST 5855AXTP. Growers around Lubbock should therefore put extra weight on local trial data, planting date, irrigation, and maturity fit.

Does ST 5855AXTP have good gin turnout?

Independent testing has shown strong turnout. In a 2024 Tennessee trial, ST 5855AXTP recorded 44.2% turnout. Individual results will vary by environment and management.