ARS | Publication request: INTERPRETING GENOTYPE X ENVIRONMENTAL INTERACTIONS FOR YIELD AND FIBER QUALITY IN COTTON PERFORMANCE TRIALS CONDUCTED IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: January 4, 2005
Publication Date: January 4, 2005
Citation: Campbell, B.T., Jones, M.A. 2005. Interpreting genotype x environmental interactions for yield and fiber quality in cotton performance trials conducted in south carolina. Proceedings of the National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 4-7, 2005, New Orleans, LA. p. 968-979.

Technical Abstract: The genotype evaluation process includes the selection of genotypes that display stability for a given trait or set of traits across testing environments. Genotype stability for trait performance is a direct measure of genotype x environment interactions, which result from the differential performance of a genotype or cultivar across environments. In addition to selecting stable genotypes, the evaluation process also requires careful selection of the proper field trial locations that best represent the target environments the breeding program is directed toward. Selecting testing locations that provide a maximum amount of valuable information is critical for plant breeding programs to maximize resources and efficiency. In this study, we evaluated genotype x environment interactions for agronomic performance (lint yield, gin turnout) and fiber quality (fiber length, fiber strength, fiber uniformity, fiber elongation, micronaire) data collected from a series of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) performance trials in twelve location-year environments in South Carolina. Combined analysis of variance, genotype stability, and additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) models indicated that genotype x environment interactions influenced the performance of genotypes for lint yield and fiber strength. For lint yield, genotype x environment interactions were larger in higher yielding environments, while interactions for fiber strength were greater for genotypes with lower mean fiber strength values. Two regions within the South Carolina cotton production areas were identified as proper testing locations for lint yield performance. However, results also indicated that testing and selecting genotypes for higher fiber strength in South Carolina does not warrant targeting genotypes to particular locations within the statewide cotton production areas.