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ARS Home » Plains Area » Lubbock, Texas » Cropping Systems Research Laboratory » Plant Stress and Germplasm Development Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #300125
Title: Identification of elite upland germplasm with tolerance to reduced irrigation rates from the RBTN

Author
item HENDON, BRALIE - Texas Tech University
item Ulloa, Mauricio
item Burke, John
item RITCHIE, GLEN - Texas Tech University
item IMEL, ROBERT - Texas Tech University
item AULD, DICK - Texas Tech University

Submitted to: National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/7/2014
Publication Date: 5/15/2014
Citation: Hendon, B.R., Ulloa, M., Burke, J.J., Ritchie, G.L., Imel, R.K., Auld, D.L. 2014. Identification of elite upland germplasm with tolerance to reduced irrigation rates from the RBTN [abstract]. National Cotton Council Beltwide Cotton Conference, January 6-8, 2014, New Orleans, Lousiana. p. 600

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The decline in aquifers and water reservoirs combined with the unpredictability of precipitation during the growing season has pushed cotton (Gossypium spp.) researchers and breeders to look/develop sources of germplasm with specific plant-architecture, root-morphology, or physiological traits that can improve water use efficiency (WUE), drought and extreme heat tolerance. To identify germplasm with improved WUE and drought tolerance, elite upland germplasm lines were evaluated from the Regional Breeders Testing Network (RBTN supported by Cotton Incorporated) of 13 U.S. public breeding programs across the Cotton Belt. RBTN germplasm lines and commercial cultivars were subjected to four water regimes (high, high-medium, medium, and low) on drip irrigation with three replications (25 feet single row per entry) in a RCBD within each regime. Preliminary analyses revealed genetic diversity and differences such as plant height, nodes, fruiting positions, flowering, and early open bolls. We also observed differences of spectral reflectance and canopy temperature on these entries. Plant mapping data combined with collected data using spectral reflectance and canopy temperature sensors will further be discussed. Continuing cotton improvements depend on the utilization of diverse germplasm and the introduction of this genetic diversity into commercial cultivars.