Project Number: 6202-21000-031-06
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: May 01, 2010
End Date: Apr 30, 2015

Objective:
Jointly manage and maintain a cotton winter nursery for the propagation of the National Cotton Germplasm Collection and for the acceleration of public and private cotton improvement efforts.

Approach:
A tropical cotton winter nursery will be jointly maintained and managed by the National Cotton Council and the Agricultural Research Service. Seed of accessions from the National Cotton Germplasm Collection and from public and private research efforts will be sent to the nursery for seed increase and generational advancement. Services such as forced self pollination ("selfing"), creation of hybrids ("crossing"), and rouging of genetic materials will be offered to users. Materials increased or created by crossing will be ginned at the nursery, fumigated, and shipped to users through the assistance of the ARS. The cooperating parties of this agreement will together provide the personnel, expertise, supplies, and equipment necessary to support the operation of the nursery and the services it provides.