Relationships Among Oil Content, Protein Content and Seed Size of Gossypium Accessions in the U.S. National Cotton Germplasm Collection

Low-field, time-domain ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR) was used to quantify oil and protein content within 2,254 plant introductions of cotton (Gossypium spp.) including wild species, landraces, and adapted cultivars from around the world as represented in the US National Cotton Germplasm Collection.  This group of plant introductions (accessions) is collectively known as the Gossypium Diversity Reference Set (GDRS).  Seed quality analyses are being conducted to explore relationships between oil and protein reserves and seed size in different cotton genomes (one tetraploid and eight diploid) and species (six tetraploid and 28 diploid).  In addition, for the cultivated tetraploids, these seed quality components will be evaluated relative to cultivated and wild types, specifically any known wild race classifications.  These analyses will provide a more comprehensive knowledge of cottonseed components to facilitate effective utilization of accessions by breeding programs interested in enhancing these seed traits.