Identification of Cotton Germplasm and Molecular Markers for Salt Tolerance

Salinity is one of the production problems facing sustainable agriculture in semi-arid or arid areas including the southwest of the United States. Developing and growing commercial cotton cultivars can increase yield and improve fiber quality. However, information on salt tolerant germplasm and associated molecular markers is currently lacking. This report presents results on screening more than hundred advanced cotton breeding lines and 146 backcrossed inbred lines developed from interspecific crosses between Upland and Pima cotton based on seed germination and early seedling growth. DNA markers associated with salt tolerance are being developed.