ABSTRACT

The USA is losing its textile industry to foreign competition. In turn, the cotton grower is losing its best customer, the USA textile industry. A modern textile industry needs modern fiber that can only be obtained through improved varieties. The Regional High Quality test (RHQ) is a variety test, which evaluates the fiber quality of newly developed varieties and strains. In 2001, the RHQ was coordinated with a Textile Variety Test (TVT) that evaluated the spinning efficiency of varieties, which were processed through modern ring, rotor, and vortex spinning units. The TVT involved evaluating eight bales/variety for cottons produced in South Georgia, Mississippi Delta, and West Texas. The number of varieties for each area was six, seven, and eight, respectively. The combination of variable environments and varieties produced a wide range of fiber properties. In 2001, the RHQ evaluated 19 varieties and strains that were grown in nine states from the Carolinas to East Texas. The objective of the RHQ test was to provide a broader array of genotypes in which data obtained from the TVT could be used to evaluate each variety's textile performance and mill value. The six varieties common to Georgia and the Delta were grown in the RHQ. They showed similar fiber properties as when grown in the TVT. There were large genetic variances for yield, which were negatively correlated with desirable fiber traits. The correlation of yield with HVI length, strength, and micronaire was -0.33 -0.62, and 0.75, respectively. These results show that by coordinating existing variety tests with specialty tests, such as the TVT, that much more useful information can be obtained which can enhance many segments of the cotton industry.