2010 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) Objective 1: Organize, collect data, analyze, and report the NCVT. Objective 2: Estimate variety (V), environmental (E), and their interaction components (VE) and relate results to improved breeding and evaluation of varieties for specific environments. Objective 3: Measure the genetic progress in yield, yield components, and fiber traits. Objective 4: Evaluate variety, environmental, and their variety x environmental contributions of fiber and seed traits that are not usually evaluated in variety tests. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Organize and design annual tests, assemble data, analyze, publish and communicate results to cooperators and the public. Archive and make database available to cooperators. Reinforce ARS genetic fiber quality studies. Perform or assist in special variety, years, and location analyses. Update variety evaluations by using the latest technology improvements in computer and statistical services and fiber quality instrumentation. Use NCVT database to detect long term and regional trends in yield and seed and fiber quality. Explore the use of molecular markers (RFLPs) to fingerprint varieties and genetic populations. Utilize database to associate environmental effects on cotton. Utilize residual fiber samples to correlate data from new instrumentation with database. Utilize seed and fiber samples from the NCVT to measure the genetic, environmental, and their interactions on new traits. 3.Progress Report This service continues to involve about 20 regional tests across 15 states. In addition, a special Regional High Quality (RHQ) test was conducted at 11 locations in nine states. Variance component analysis for RHQ studies conducted from 2001 to 2007 are being completed. These tests involve 100 genotypes grown in 56 year-location studies. The evaluation involves 29 traits. Four of the traits involve yield of lint, seed, oil, and Nitrogen. Three of the tests involve yield components. There were 16 fiber traits involved using standard breeders analysis, High Volume Instrument (HVI), and arealometer determinations. Seed characteristics for oil, Nitrogen, and four gossypol traits are being summarized. The seed traits oil and gossypol have heritability as high as those for fiber length, strength, and micronaire. A manuscript involving fatty acid profiles has been forwarded to the final stage in Cotton Science for publication. A researcher at South Dakota State is preparing a variance component analysis on multi-year National Cotten Variety Test tests. Staff members from Cotton Incorporated are currently using data from the RHQ tests to evaluate their models of an overall trait fiber quality index. Their comments have been very favorable as to the usefulness of the data. A Texas A&M graduate student has used one years’ RHQ test data for a special quantitative inheritance analysis assignment.