Relationships of Cotton Yield Components with Lint Yield and Fiber Properties

Knowledge regarding the nature of relationships between yield components, fiber traits and lint yield is essential for formulating efficient breeding strategies for cotton improvement. During 2011 and 2012, twelve diverse cotton germplasm were grown at Stoneville, MS at two locations to study the relationships of ten yield component traits and four HVI fiber quality traits with lint yield. The materials were planted in a randomized complete block design in three replications. Boll weight, number of bolls/plant, plant height, number of seeds/boll, boll width, boll length, and number of locs/boll were measured from ten random plants in each plot. Number of fibers per seed, and fiber density were also estimated. HVI fiber quality traits (fiber strength, fiber length, uniformity, and micronaire) were estimated and their relationships with the above mentioned yield components and lint yield established. Mean square values were significantly different among the twelve genotypes for all traits investigated. Number of bolls/plant and number of seeds/boll had the most significant positive relationships (0.50** and 0.32**, respectively) with lint yield. Plant height, boll weight, and number of locs/plant had also significant positive relationships with lint yield. Fiber length (-0.29*) and fiber strength (-0.36**) had significant negative correlations with lint yield. Relationships between lint turnout and numbers of fibers/seed (0.55**) and fiber density (0.54**) were positive and significant. Breeding programs aimed at maximizing lint yield should focus on selecting for numbers of bolls/plant and number of seeds per boll. The negative associations between lint yield and fiber strength and length again emphasize the challenge cotton breeders face to break/reduce this undesirable association.