Exploring Variation in AFIS Length Distribution of 8 F2 Populations

Cotton fiber length distributions produced from the Advanced Fiber information System (AFIS) have been shown to better predict yarn quality compared to individual length parameters generated from the High Volume Instrument (HVI). The AFIS length parameters have the potential to provide breeders with additional information needed to select germplasm with improved spinning performance. However, the possibility of improving a trait through breeding only exists when there is genetic variation for the trait in question. In this study, 8 F₂ cotton populations, which were generated from crosses of obsolete cotton varieties, were explored using a multivariate statistical approach. The obsolete varieties were selected for this experiment because their development predates modern HVI testing, which may have contributed to a further reduced variation for fiber quality traits. Variation was seen both within a given population and across populations with the types of variation different for the two comparisons. These findings suggest that using the genetically diverse population of this experiment, there is variation in fiber length distributions that can be utilized by cotton breeders to genetically improve this important fiber quality parameter.