Comparison of Sampling Techniques to Determine Cotton Fiber Quality and Yield

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) fiber is known to have immense variability in its quality across varieties, within varieties and even within the plant itself. Therefore it becomes essential to evaluate boll sampling techniques employed in the field to ensure that the picked cotton is representative of its actual fiber quality. In order to test this, we planted two varieties FM832 and DP491 in College Station, Texas. Boll samples were picked for 15, 25 and 50 bolls randomly and specifically within the rows. Fiber testing was carried out to evaluate the difference between pertinant fiber quality parameters using the HVI and AFIS.