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ARS Home » Southeast Area » New Orleans, Louisiana » Southern Regional Research Center » Cotton Structure and Quality Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #174286
Title: THE INFLUENCE OF COTTON SEED WEIGHT ON FIBER PER SEED AND FIBER PROPERTY UNIFORMITY

Author
item Davidonis, Gayle
item Meredith Jr, William
item HEITHOLT, JAMES - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item Richard, Olga
item Ingber, Bruce

Submitted to: Journal of New Seeds
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/9/2005
Publication Date: 7/20/2005
Citation: Davidonis, G.H., Meredith Jr, W.R., Heitholt, J.J., Richard, O.A., Ingber, B.F. The influence of cotton seed weight on fiber per seed and fiber property uniformity. Journal of New Seeds. 2005. v. 7(3). p. 1-13.

Interpretive Summary: As increase in the weight of cotton fiber per seed increases yield. This weight increase is due to an increased number of fibers per seed and/or an increase in individual fiber wieght. Excessive cell wall deposition increases fiber weight and is undesireable. Strategies need to be developed that limit cell wall deposition. Characterization of the relationship between seed weight, fibers per seed and fiber properties will supply basic information for strategy development. Fiber density, length and cell wall thickness were positively correlated with seed weight. Fiber property uniformity increased as seed weight increased. Strategies that reduce cell wall deposition have the potential to decrease fiber length uniformity.

Technical Abstract: Increasing cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) fiber weight per seed in some genotypes has the potential to increase micronaire values to unacceptable levels. Strategies need to be developed that limit cell wall deposition. Seed weight decreases as the number of seeds per boll increases. Characterization of the relationship between seed weight, fibers per seed and fiber properties will supply basic information for strategy development. Stoneville 474 and FiberMax 832 were grown under irrigated conditions in 1998 and 1999. First position flowers were harvested on the day of anthesis for fiber density and perimeter analysis. Remaining first position bolls were harvested after boll opening and seed was individually analyzed for weight and fiber properties. Initial fiber densities were the same for both cultivars. Mean fiber length and cell wall thickness were positively correlated with final seed weight. Fiber length variability decreased as seed weight increased. The decrease in length variability paralleled an increase in fiber cell wall thickness. Strategies to increase the number of seeds per boll may reduce micronaire values but increase length variability.