Seed Size, Ginning Rate, and Net Ginning Energy Requirement in Upland Cotton

Not much information is available in the literature on the effect of seed size on ginning efficiency in upland cotton. In 2015, nine diverse upland cotton cultivars and germplasm were planted at two locations in Stoneville, MS to test the above relationship. Two of the cultivars (Ark 9317-26 and DP 555 BG/RR were classified as ‘small’ because they have seed index (SI) of < 10 gm. FM 832, FM 966, and MD 15, had SI ranging from 10-12 gm and were classified as  ‘intermediate’ seed size. TAM 182-34 ELS and three other breeding lines from Stoneville, MS (201-2, 107-1, and 152-1) had ‘large’ seeds with SI of > 12 gm. The materials were planted in three replications each at two sites in Stoneville, MS. Data were collected on ginning energy requirement (Wh kg^-1 lint), ginning rate (g lint s^-1), fibers/seed, seed surface area, fuzz %, gin turnout, HVI and AFIS quality parameters. Statistical analyses of all properties associated with the genotypes were performed using Proc ANOVA. Simple Pearson’s correlation test and regression analyses were conducted to test the relationship between traits. Result indicated that small and intermediate seeded genotypes have significantly higher ginning rate than large seeded genotypes. However, larger seeded genotypes required significantly higher ginning energy. Seed size was positively and significantly correlated with net ginning energy, seed index, fuzz %, and seed surface area but negatively and significantly correlated with lint turnout and fiber uniformity. Relationships with ginning rate and fibers/seed were negative but not statistically significant.