ABSTRACT

Testing high yield and high quality cotton varieties is an essential part of any regional cotton evaluation program aimed at improving grower returns and influencing farm agronomic management decisions made. Historic testing of inter‑ and intra‑specific Upland and Pima cotton F1 crosses has produced mixed results particularly with respect to grower adoption and acceptance of these materials for the purpose of establishing widespread plantings. Beginning in 1999 we established tests of inter‑specific Pima‑Upland hybrid varieties in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV). Initial results included field tests that demonstrated record yields at the West Side Research and Extension Center and HVI testing that recorded encouraging, though mixed, cotton quality results. Continued yield and quality testing expanded in 2000 with multiple large‑scale grower tests conducted in the 2001 through 2003 growing season. Trial yield data collected and summarized ranged from no yield benefit of HA195 plantings, when compared to commercially standard Pima and Acala cotton varieties, to lint yield increases of more than one‑bale per acre. High yield differentials were consistently observed when field conditions produced significant water and salt stresses, further demonstrating their potential fit for larger scale SJV production.