TY - JOUR AU - Benedict, John H. AU - Leigh, Thomas F. AU - Tingey, Ward AU - Hyer, Angus H. TI - Glandless acala cotton: More susceptible to insects JF - California Agriculture JO - Calif Agr Y1 - 1977/04/01 VL - 31 IS - 4 SP - 14 EP - 15 PB - University of California Agriculture and Nature Resources SN - 0008-0845 UR - http://www.ucanr.edu/sites/calagjournal/archive/?article=ca.v031n04p14 AB - Commercially grown Acala cottons (Gossypium hirsutum L.), like most other species of the genus Gossypium, have evolved an effective chemical resistance that deters most plant-feeding animals. The biologically toxic component is a group of related, secondary plant metabolites known as terpenoids. Gossypol, the best known of these terpenoids, is a polyphenolic yellow pigment closely associated with the epidermal glands present on all aerial plant parts as well as in the cottonseed. Most commercial cottonseed contains about 1 percent gossypol, depending on variety and environmental conditions. Expensive chemical and physical procedures are used to remove gossypol from cottonseed products destined for use as food for non-ruminant animals.