Genetic Improvement of New Mexico Acala Cotton Germplasm and Their Genetic Diversity

• DOI: 10.2135/cropsci2005.0140
• Publication Date: 2005-09-24T00:34:22Z
• Authors: J. F. Zhang; Y. Lu; H. Adragna; E. Hughs
• Keywords: Germ plasm; Lint; Verticillium wilt; Fiber crop; Gossypium; Gossypium barbadense; Breeding program

The New Mexico cotton breeding program was established in 1926 and has been led by five generations of breeders geneticists. released more than 30 Acala 1517 ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars numerous germplasm lines known for high fiber quality Verticillium wilt (caused dahliae Kleb.) tolerance that have made substantial contributions to the USA. present project initiated 2003 evaluate genetic improvement over past 75 yr yield, boll size, seed index, lint percentage, length, strength, micronaire. Their divergence also estimated simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. On basis data available from annual yield trials, percentage steadily increased since 1930s, while size index gradually decreased 1960s. Fiber strength enhanced 1960s, which accompanied steady increase However, length tended shorten 31.0 30.0 mm 1960 1990, whereas newly (Acala 1517‐95, 1517‐99, 1517‐02, 1517‐03, 1517‐04) greater 30.5 mm. Genetic distance among genotypes ranged 0.06 0.38 with an average 0.18 on 189 SSR marker alleles, indicating a diversity germplasm. Divergent introgression contributed continuous gain cultivar improvement.