Selection and Response of Yield and Fiber Traits in Upland Cotton.

A dichotomy exists in the different aspects of cotton production and utilization. Lint yield is the most important factor for producers aiming to maximize profit. Spinning mills are more concerned with the fiber quality characteristics of the raw product, rather than a pure volume standpoint. Simultaneously improving yield and fiber quality is important to meet the demands of cotton producers and the textile industry, this remains difficult for cotton breeders due to the negative association between yield and fiber quality that is commonly observed. It has been shown that it is possible to break the negative associations and improve both yield and fiber quality traits. Determination of the precise relationship between these traits is important to understand for further breeding advancement.

Four F3 populations of upland cotton were grown and individual plants were harvested. The top 25 percent of plants were selected for three selection criteria; lint percent, fiber length and fiber strength, as well as an unselected control population. These selected populations were grown in randomized complete block designs in a dryland and irrigated environment. Yield and fiber quality data was collected and analyzed to ascertain relationships between traits when direct selection is applied to an alternate trait. When selection is applied for yield a corresponding drop in fiber strength and length is observed. There was no difference observed in yield of any of the selected populations, regardless of what trait they were selected for.