Yield components of new germplasm
Abstract
Cotton produces more fruiting sites than it will ever mature to harvest. Fiber lint yields vary from rain fed conditions of 150kg/ha to irrigated environments producing in excess of 2000kg/ha. The way in which cotton builds its yield has been researched and debated for years. There is a general agreement on the primary yield components but which of these components have the greatest impact is still debatable.
The purpose of this study is to determine which specific variables contribute to cotton's overall lint yield and to determine their relative importance for different cultivars. Recent genetic improvements in cotton have led to a significant increase in the amount of lint produced by the newer cultivars. Six cultivars from Delta and Pine Land Company have been chosen for analysis. These cultivars are separated between the older cultivars and the newer cultivars taking their place in the market.
This study found that there is not just one variable that contributes to cotton's final yield, but rather a combination of any of the variables that leads to an increase in yield. There is not just one set way for a cultivar to develop its yield; rather, each cultivar develops differently and adapts differently to fluctuations in the environment. Data indicated that the newer cultivars are producing longer fibers with lower micronaire values than their older counterparts.