Evaluation of Three Cultivars of Glandless Cotton in New Mexico

Seeds from the glandless cotton, in contrast to those from conventional cotton, have negligible quantities of gossypol, a phenolic aldehyde that is toxic to organisms with a simple stomach. Glandless cottonseed has potential to develop food and feed products that have been limited in conventional cottonseed which is generally fed to ruminants in regulated quantities.

However, due to greatly reduced gossypol content in the glandless cotton plant tissues, these plants are more susceptible to chewing and sucking insects. Some instances of rodent damage to the opened bolls have also been reported. Consequently, the glandless cotton cultivars are more challenging to produce especially in environments with greater pest pressure. Most cotton growing areas of New Mexico generally have low pest pressure, and may provide an ideal environment for growing glandless cotton.

A trial comparing three cultivars of glandless cotton (Acala-GLS, STV-Glandless and JACO-Glandless) was performed in Las Cruces, NM during 2012 growing season. Measurements that were taken included plant population, plant height, and average number of open bolls. Seedcotton, lint and cotton seed yields were also measured at harvest. Results show no statistically significant difference between the three cultivars in plant population after establishment, plant height and the average number of open bolls. Seedcotton, lint and cotton seed yields were also not significant between the cultivars. Lint yield for STV-Glandless was 979 Ib/acre; for Acala-GLS was 1063 Ib/acre and for the JACO-Glandless, it was 1189 Ib/acre. Seed yield was 0.71 t/acre for STV-Glandless, 0.77 t/acre for Acala-GLS and 0.90 t/acre for the JACO-Glandless.