Effects of RNAi PHYA1 in Cotton

A RNAi PHYA1 construct has been introduced into 10 U S elite lines of cotton differing widely in fiber quality.  BC1S1 plants were grown in the field in 2016 and homozygous, heterozygous, and null plants were selected and seed produced.  Fiber properties of the three classes in each of the 10 crosses were measured as well as root growth, LAI, and Photosynthesis rate were determined on homozygous plants of the original construct and the null parent Coker 312.  This presentation will discuss the results of the 2016 research and indicate the effects of the RNAi insert when present in the 10 elite lines.  The information is of importance to plant breeders as they consider the option of using this RNAi insert to improve fiber properties and improve root growth in breeding programs.