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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #371219
Research Project: Utilizing Conventional and Molecular Approaches to Enhance Seed and Fiber Quality Traits, and Conducting a National Cotton Variety Testing Program

Location: Crop Genetics Research

Title: Seed size, ginning rate, and net ginning energy requirements in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Author
item Bechere, Efrem
item HARDIN, ROBERT - Texas A&M University
item Zeng, Linghe

Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2021
Publication Date: 8/15/2021
Citation: Bechere, E., Hardin, R.G., Zeng, L. 2021. Seed size, ginning rate, and net ginning energy requirements in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Journal of Cotton Science. 25:91-100.

Interpretive Summary: Ginning efficiency in upland cotton (ginning rate and ginning energy requirement) can be affected by many factors including seed size. The relationships between seed size and other economic traits is complex and producers need to find a delicate balance between these traits and seed size when selecting what varieties to plant. Differences in seed size were highly significant among studied cultivars. Seed size was positively correlated with ginning energy, ginning rate, micronaire, fiber strength, fuzz percent, seed surface area and fiber fineness. When seed size increases, the value of these traits also increases. On the other hand, ginning energy, uniformity, fiber length, lint yield, lint percent and number of seeds per kilogram were all negatively correlated with seed size. They go in opposite directions. Fiber strength was the only quality trait positively and significantly correlated with seed size. Larger seed sizes appear to impart stronger fiber. Growers should take these relationships into consideration when prioritizing which type of seed they are going to plant.

Technical Abstract: Nine diverse upland cotton cultivars and germplasm lines differing in seed size were planted at two locations at Stoneville, MS in 2015, 2016 and 2017. AR 9317-26 and DP 555 BG/RR were classified as small because they have seed index (SI) of < 10 g. FM 832, FM 966, and MD 15, had SI ranging from 10-12 g and were classified as having intermediate seed size. TAM 182-34 ELS and three other breeding lines, namely, 201-2, 107-1, and 152-1 had large seeds with SI of > 12 g. The materials were planted in three replications at two sites at Stoneville, MS. Data were collected on ginning energy requirement (Wh kg-1 lint), ginning rate (g lint s-1), and other agronomic and quality traits. The objectives of the test were to see the effects of seed size on the above parameters. Statistical analyses were performed using Proc GLM. Simple Pearson’s correlation tests and regression analyses were conducted to test the relationship between traits. Covariance estimates were calculated using Proc GLIMMIX to determine the direction of linear relationships. Differences in seed index were highly significant among cultivars. Seed index was positively correlated with ginning energy lint (GElint), ginning rate lint (GRlint), ginning rate seed (GRseed), ginning rate seed cotton (GRsdcot). Ginning energy seed (GEseed), ginning energy seed cotton (GEsdcot), fiber length, lint yield, and lint percent were all negatively correlated with seed index. Fiber strength was positively and significantly correlated with seed index. Larger seed sizes appear to impart stronger fiber.