Enhancing Upland Cotton Germplasm for Yield and Fiber Quality By Introgression from Wild Relatives.

Success in genetic improvement of lint yield and fiber quality in Upland cotton cultivars has been limited due to the narrow genetic base in cotton germplasm. Enhancing Upland cotton germplasm by broadening the genetic base for yield and fiber quality has become an urgent task in cotton breeding. Introgressing novel genes from wild relatives into Gossypium hirsutum can be an effective approach to broaden the genetic base in cotton germplasm. Populations derived from wide crosses among diploid and tetraploid species in Gossypium have been developed by USDA-ARS at Stoneville, MS. Germplasm populations derived from multiple crosses among tetraploid species in Gossypium were evaluated and significant genetic variations for lint yield and fiber quality were identified. Introgressing populations derived from wide crosses between diploid species and Upland cotton were developed and are currently under selection for their agronomic performance and fiber quality.