Increased lint yield of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars is the primary objective of most cotton breeding programs. Partitioning lint yield into yield components can provide the opportunity to improve lint yield by indirect selection. Lint yield can be defined as the product of lint index (LI) and number of seed per area (SPA). A subjective yield-component rating (YC1) of relative ranks of LI and SPA in University of Arkansas (UA) strain tests has been used to identify lines that have favorable relationships of LI and SPA. An objective, computer-generated application, yield component score (YC-score), is available to identify these lines. We were able to generate four years of YC-scores for the 67 UA lines released since 2007. High correlations between YC-score and YC1 indicated that YC-score captured the intent of the YC1 ratings. YC-scores of the 67 released lines were relatively consistent over years of testing and varied greatly among the lines. YC-score was calculated for entries in eight Regional Breeders’ Testing Network (RBTN) tests and correlated with lint yield and other yield component variables. YC-score varied among entries in each RBTN test. Correlations with YC-score were highest for LI, SPA, fibers per seed, S-score, and seed index. Negative correlations between YC-score and lint yield in all eight RBTN tests indicate that it should not be used as a primary selection tool. Among high performing cultivars, YC-score can differentiate those that have the most favorable yield component values.
