Improvement of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Fiber Spinning Quality through Selection and Inheritance of Fiber Elongation

The development of cottons with higher fiber quality has been a major objective in breeding programs around the world. Breeders have focused their attention on improving fiber strength and length, and have generally not used fiber elongation in the selection process. Although literature has reported a negative correlation between fiber elongation and tenacity, this correlation is weak and it should not prevent breeders from simultaneously improving fiber tenacity and fiber elongation. Furthermore, the work of rupture property, important in the spinning process, could be best improved by improving both fiber tenacity and fiber elongation.