Improving Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for Fiber and Yarn Quality

ABSTRACT Two methods of evaluating fiber quality of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in a breeding program were compared. Spinning performance of cottons selected using data from each of these methods was evaluated. One method used only High Volume Instrument (HVI) data for plant selections while the other method used data from HVI and Advanced Fiber Information System (AFIS). One critical difference between the selection methods was the use of fiber length distributions in the HVI + AFIS method. Selections began with fifteen intraspecific F2 populations in 2005 and continued until F5 lines were selected in 2007. In 2008, a spinning study was conducted on ten F5 lines from each selection method. Carded and combed 30Ne count ring spun yarns were produced from each of the F5 breeding lines and 4 commercial check varieties. Early generation selections were effective and overall improvement of fiber quality was apparent as early as the F3 generation. Both selection methods resulted in F5 lines with better fiber quality and spinning performance than commercial varieties. F5 lines from both methods had lower short fiber content by number, SFC(n), and a lower percentage of combing noils than the commercial varieties. Fiber and yarn data indicate it is possible to improve fiber length distribution using either selection method. Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed differences between length distribution of HVI only lines and HVI + AFIS lines, even though average fiber properties from each selection method were similar. It is important for breeders to understand the relationships that exist between overall fiber quality, specific fiber properties, yarn quality and spinning performance. All of these factors interact and are critical to the development of cottons that can compete in a global market. Understanding these interactions will allow breeders to more effectively use fiber data for selection purposes.