Performance of New Glandless Cotton Lines As a Function of Soil Type and Nitrogen Rates

The prospect of commercial glandless cotton production is currently being explored in New Mexico due to low pest pressure and successful preliminary testing of selected glandless cultivars. However, existing glandless cultivars have relatively lower yields when compared to commercial glanded cultivars. Breeding efforts at New Mexico State University have focused on improving the seed and lint yields of the glandless cotton, and this has led to the release of new glandless lines. Three new lines of glandless cotton NM 13P1088, NM 13P1115 and NM 13P1117 were compared to existing glandless cultivars (Acala GLS and STV glandless). Field trials were set up at two locations with contrasting soil textures (sandy loam and clay loam) in the Las Cruces area. Additionally, the effects of two levels of nitrogen fertilizer (80 Ib N/ac and 160 Ib N/ac) were tested on the glandless cotton. Results showed that the effect of cultivars and soil texture were significant on yields, while the effect of fertilizer rate was not significant. NM 13P1117 had a significantly higher lint yield than the other lines and cultivars tested. Acala GLS had the best fiber quality, followed by one of the new lines (NM 13P1088). Generally, yields were significantly higher in clay loam soil than in the sandy loam soil, while the fiber quality measurements were not significantly affected by soil texture. This trial shows that the newly developed glandless lines could eventually replace the obsolete glandless lines.