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LOGO: Journal of Cotton Science

 

Investigation of Physiological Growth, Fiber Quality, Yield, and Yield Stability of Upland Cotton Varieties in Differing Environments

Authors: Matthew S. Wiggins, Brian G. Leib, Thomas C. Mueller, and Christopher L. Main
Pages: 140-148
Agronomy and Soils

Decisions on cotton variety selection are typically based on producers past experience with the varieties and production sites. New germplasm is available every year for purchase and it is important for producers to note genotypic and phenotypic differences in varieties in their region in order to obtain high yields and good fiber quality. Research was conducted to evaluate cotton growth, fiber quality, and yield stability during 2010 and 2011 at fifteen on-farm production locations that were categorized into locations receiving greater than and less than 7.6 cm of precipitation during the blooming period. Each experimental site included four to twelve cotton rows spaced 97 cm apart with varying plot lengths. Varieties evaluated include: DP 0912 B2RF, DP 0920 B2RF, DP 1034 B2RF, FM 1740B2F, PHY 375 WRF, and ST 4288B2F. No-tillage or reduced tillage production systems were utilized with 10.5-12 seed m-1 of row at a planting depth of two cm. Plant height, number of nodes, nodes above white flower (NAWF), lint yield, yield quality, and yield stability were monitored and determined in order to evaluate variety response grown in multiple environments. Varieties did respond differently in this trial, indicating that differences in physiological growth patterns, lint yield, yield quality, and yield stability are evident when comparing varieties and amount of precipitation received during the blooming period. Therefore, quantifying the stability of commonly used varieties in the Midsouth United States is valuable knowledge to those who are making cultivar decisions in areas of variable rainfall.