Evaluation of an Exotic Germplasm Population Derived from Multiple Crosses Between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense

Broadening genetic base is essential for genetic improvement of lint yield and fiber quality in upland cotton. An exotic germplasm population derived from multiple crosses between Gossypium hirsutum L. and G. barbadense L. was obtained from USDA-ARS at Las Cruces, NM. This germplasm was designated as JC for the originator, John Cotton. Two hundred JC lines and five cultivars were planted at two locations in 2006 and one location in 2007 with two replicates each. Significant (P=0.001) genotypic variation for yield and fiber quality was identified. Interactions between genotype and environment for yield and fiber quality were small relative to the genotypic effects. Genotypic correlations between yield parameters and fiber properties and their standard errors were estimated by Multivariate Restricted Maximum Likelihood analysis. Lint yield was negatively associated with fiber quality. Short fiber content was negatively correlated with fineness (r=-0.38).  This relation was superimposed by their high significant (P=0.001) correlations with maturity.  These results indicate that this germplasm is a useful genetic resource for genetic lint yield and fiber quality improvement.