Cotton must have the genetic research resources to compete successfully with man-made fibers in the international textile fiber market, and it must have a genetic research infrastructure to enable its researchers to capture federal plant genetic research dollars that are commensurate with the value of the crop to the U.S. economy.

This project is helping facilitate the biennial International Cotton Genome Initiative (ICGI) workshop/meeting. The meeting’s primary focus will be on reporting progress in development of cotton genomics and identifying new needs of cotton genomics. The event also should create a better interface between the commercial sector (starting with breeding and biotechnology) and ICGI, which is largely composed of public researchers.

Contributions already have been made but more sponsorship from appropriate organizations and groups, internationally and domestically, is being sought to develop the meeting which is listed and described at http://icgi.tamu.edu/meeting/2004/.

A Cotton Belt yield plateau has Texas Agriculture Experiment Station researchers trying to develop germplasm with significantly increased yield potential.

There is a need to find a method to significantly increase yield without increasing production costs.

Work at the Texas Agriculture Experiment Station is aimed at developing germplasm with significantly increased yield potential. Studies thus far indicate that the weight of fiber per seed trait is heritable and controlled by several genes. Thirty one breeding lines with at least 90 mg lint/seed were performance tested in 2003. Trials included comparisons of the lint per seed of several lines under irrigated and rain-fed conditions.  Preliminary data show that the genotypic differences remain relatively constant. Another interesting find is that many of the high lint per seed lines produce larger seed and fewer seed per boll.

Some of the lines studied in 2003, along with some new materials, are being performance tested in 2004. Research will look at what, if any, detrimental factors are associated with increased number and weight of fiber per seed. Yield tests will be conducted for promising materials to determine if increased yields occur.