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CROP BREEDING & GENETICS

Impact of Heterozygosity and Heterogeneity on Cotton Lint Yield Stability

^a North Carolina State Univ., 3709 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27607
^b Univ. of Arkansas, P.O. Box 48, Keiser, AR 72351
^c Louisiana State Univ. Agricultural Center, P.O. Box 8550, Bossier City, LA 71113
^d USDA-ARS, 2611 West Lucas St., Florence, SC 29501
^e Delta and Pine Land Company, P.O. Box 1529, Hartsville, SC 29550
^f Auburn Univ., 201 Funchess Hall, Auburn, AL 36849-5412

^* Corresponding author (clay.cole{at}syngenta.com).

In the last 8 yr, cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) growers in North Carolina have experienced variations in the year-to-year lint yield averages that range from a 56% increase to a 49% decrease. This variability results in wild fluctuations in income and a desire for more stable yields. Genetic structure may contribute to stability. This study was conducted to determine the impact of heterozygosity and heterogeneity on lint yield stability. Lint yield was observed in 18 environments over 3 yr among four population types that included homozygous lines grown in pure stands, homozygous lines grown in blended stands, hybrids grown in pure stands, and hybrids grown in blended stands. Comparisons were made using trait means, standard deviations, and the coefficients of variation (CVs) calculated over environments. There was no significant difference between lines grown in pure stands and blended lines with respect to yield or stability. Hybrids had a lower CV (were more stable) than homozygous lines. This stability was attributed to the hybrids and blends of hybrids out-yielding the homozygous lines and blends of homozygous lines in the low-yielding environments, but having similar yields in the high-yielding environments. These results do not support growing blends to increase stability or yield; however, growing hybrid cultivars could result in increased yields while reducing variability compared with current production practices.

Abbreviations: CP, coefficient of parentage • CV, coefficient of variation • DP 51, ‘Delta Pine 51’ • FM 989, ‘Fiber Max 989’ • LA 887, ‘Stoneville LA 887’ • SD, standard deviation • ST 474, ‘Stoneville 474’