Juan de Dios Jaraba1, C. S. Rothrock1, and T. L. Kirkpatrick2. (1) Department of Plant Pathology, University of Arkansas, 217 Plant Science Building, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, (2) University of Arkansas, SWREC, 362 Highway 174 North, Hope, AR 71801
Cotton is an important agricultural commodity worldwide. The term “cotton” collectively refers to a select group of lint-bearing plant species of the genus Gossypium, which includes G. arboretum L., G. barbadense L., G. hirsutum L., and G. herbaceum L. (Brown, 1958; Sasser, 1972). Although these species originated in different geographic locations, they were all domesticated for the fibers or lint produced on their seed (Stewart, 2001). The morphological characteristics of these seed fibers were desired because their fiber length and strength were ideal for producing yarn (Brown, 1958). The introduction of cotton into the textile market led to the worldwide dispersal and production of these Gossypium species. G. hirsutum is currently the most economically important and widely-grown species worldwide, accounting for about 90% of the total world cotton hectarage.
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