Dryland and Irrigated Commercial Variety Testing In Central and South Texas In 2010

Approximately 60 commercial varieties were evaluated in replicated trials at seven locations.  The objective of these trials is to provide seed companies and producers with independent evaluation of available cotton cultivars. Locations included four irrigated and six dryland tests.  For each test, lint yield, lint fraction, and HVI fiber data were ascertained.  Harvest at most locations was generally dry without complications.  Comparisons among varieties under irrigated and dryland conditions suggest a genotype by environment interaction.  Dryland tests at most locations received timely rains that boosted production but still incurred some drought stress especially late in the growing season. Temperatures for the early season were normal to below normal, but late season high-temperatures were above the long term average at most sites. There were no abnormal disease and insect pest losses in any trial.