Boll Maturation Time in Extra Long Staple Upland Cotton

Boll Maturation Time In Extra Long Staple Upland Cotton By Benjamin Meritt¹, C. Morello², K. Gregory¹, W. Smith¹ and S. Hague¹, (1)Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, (2)Embrapa, Goiania-GO, Brazil

Boll maturation has been a closely monitored characteristic of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) in the United States since the migration of the boll weevil in 1892. Early maturity (boll maturation) provides an escape mechanism from boll weevil infestation but also allows adaptability to seasonal conditions. TAM B139-17 ELS is an extra long staple line, that has been observed to require longer time to mature. This germplasm was compared with Acala 1517-99, PSC 355, and Tamcott CAMD-E, which are medium to short staple cultivars known for early maturity, at College Station during the summer of 2010 and 2011. Data collected included node of the first fruiting branch, days from emergence to the first square, days from emergence to the first white flower, days from emergence to the first open boll, vertical/horizontal flowering interval, flower formation period, boll maturation period, and fiber quality traits.