Impact of intra‐boll yield components on lint production per boll and fiber quality in advanced cotton breeding lines

Abstract

AbstractCotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) lint yield and fiber quality are associated with various yield components. Research efforts addressing intra‐boll yield component contributors to lint production boll−1 are limited. Thus, a study was conducted in Tifton, Georgia with the objectives to quantify the contributions of intra‐boll yield components to lint production boll−1 and to identify yield components most strongly associated with lint production boll−1 in advanced breeding lines of upland cotton. Data collected included intra‐boll yield components and fiber quality parameters. A strong association was observed between lint production boll−1 and seedcotton weight boll−1 (r = 0.896) compared to lint production boll−1 and lint percent (LP, r = 0.574). For breeding lines with maximum lint weight boll−1, the contribution of seedcotton weight and LP ranged from 0.17 to 0.36 g boll−1 and 0.22 to 0.24 g boll−1, respectively, suggesting a relatively greater influence of seedcotton weight boll−1 on lint weight boll−1. Lint production boll−1 can be expressed as the product of seeds per boll, seed surface area, fiber density (FD), and individual fiber weight (IFW). IFW was the greatest contributor to lint production boll−1 for seven breeding lines and FD for nine breeding lines. A strong positive association was observed between lint production boll−1 and IFW (r = 0.656, p < 0.001); however, no significant association between lint weight boll−1 and FD suggesting a relatively greater influence of IFW on lint weight boll−1. Our work provides future direction aimed at improving lint yields through the selection of various yield components.