Comparison of Boll Sampling Techniques to Determine Cotton Fiber Quality and Yield.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) fibers are known to have immense variability in fiber quality across varieties, within varieties and even within the plant itself. Previous studies for within-plant variability of fiber quality have shown that fiber quality declines from the bottom bolls of the plant to the top bolls. Therefore it becomes essential to evaluate boll sampling techniques employed in the field to ensure that the picked cotton is representative of its actual fiber quality. In order to test this, we planted two varieties FM832 and DP491 in College Station, Texas in 2009 and 2010. Boll samples were picked for 15, 25 and 50 bolls randomly and specifically within the rows. Fiber testing was carried out to evaluate the difference between pertinant fiber quality parameters using the HVI and AFIS.