Dryland and Irrigated Commercial Variety Testing in Central and South Texas in 2011

Approximately 65 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. In 2011, virtually the entire State of Texas experienced extreme drought and record high temperatures throughout most of the cotton growing season. As a result, two of the dryland locations were abandoned and others were severely affected by the dry conditions. Temperatures continued to stay above normal throughout harvest with little or no rainfall. There were no abnormal disease and insect pest losses in any trial.