Genetics of Ginning Efficiency in Two Crosses of Upland Cotton

Information regarding genetic variability and potential of genotypes and correlations of desirable traits provide a reliable basis for cotton improvement. The objectives of this study were to estimate genotypic correlations of ginning energy requirements, ginning rate, and agronomic and fiber properties in two upland cotton crosses. Two cotton families derived from segregating F3 and F4 populations were used. F2 plants were bulked to produce F3 plants from which sixty-four individual plants from each of the two populations were randomly harvested in 2009 to produce progeny rows which were planted in two replications at two sites at Stoneville, MS in 2010. Highly significant genotypic differences were observed for all traits in both crosses. Significant positive genotypic correlations were observed for both families between lint percent and ginning rate (r=0.43** and r=0.46**) and fuzz percent and net gin stand energy (r=0.84** and r=034**). Significant negative genotypic correlations for both families were found between lint percent and net gin stand energy (r=-0.33* and r=-0.35**), fuzz percent and ginning rate (r=-0.69** and r=-0.48**), ginning rate and net gin stand energy (r=-0.69** and r=-0.33*). Lint percent and fuzz percent, because of their ease in measurement, might serve as better indicator of the best ginning efficient genotypes. In the cross AR 9317-26 x FM 832ne, increases in nep count were associated with reduced ginning rate and increased net ginning energy. In both crosses increase in ginning rate resulted in lower short fiber content by weight.