Analysis of a cotton introgression population derived through multiple generations of random mating in multiple-parents crosses

Authors: Zeng, Linghe; Hinze, Lori; Fang, David; Delhom, Christopher - Chris; ZHANG, JINFA - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Euphytica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/1/2023
Publication Date: 9/5/2023
Citation: Zeng, L., Hinze, L.L., Fang, D.D., Delhom, C.D., Zhang, J. 2023. Analysis of a cotton introgression population derived through multiple generations of random mating in multiple-parents crosses. Euphytica. 219:101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-023-03213-1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10681-023-03213-1

Interpretive Summary: Introduction of novel genes from wild cotton into cultivated cotton is challenging because the later tends to exclude the wild genes and keep the originals. In this study, we developed a new germplasm population by crossing cotton cultivars with their wild relatives. After crossing, the hybrids were advanced by a special breeding method to reduce the unexpected exclusion and allow the novel genes to stabilize in the plants. From 2008 to 2022, this germplasm population was advanced, maintained, and evaluated under diverse environments. Results of field trials showed dramatic genetic variations in the germplasm population for yield and fiber quality. A few lines with desirable combinations of lint yield and fiber quality were selected from this germplasm population. This new germplasm population can be useful for molecular analysis to identify desirable novel genes and ideal for cotton breeders to develop new cultivars for both high yield and high fiber quality.

Technical Abstract: Genetic base in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is narrow. Repeated random mating through generations during germplasm development may be an appealing approach to introgress desirable genes from exotic germplasm into Upland cotton. A random mating population, MDRM, was developed to provide an introgression germplasm population with novel genes from other tetraploid species. This population was derived from 48 crosses between four Upland cotton lines/cultivars (MD15, MD52ne, and TAM98D-99ne andcFiberMax832) as female parents and twelve exotic germplasm lines as male parents. The male parents include six lines derived from multiple crosses between G. hirsutum and G. barbadense L. and another six lines derived from multiple crosses among five Gossypium tetraploid species. After five generations of random mating followed by six generations of self-pollination, the bulk of RM5F7 population was produced, which further led to the development of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from seed increase of single plants in the bulk. The bulk of RM5F7 and its 276 RILs were evaluated along with 134 RM0F7 RILs (0 generation of random mating) and 142 RM1F7 RILs (1 generation of random mating) and the parents at College Station, TX, Las Cruces, NM, and Stoneville, MS from 2016 through 2022. The bulk of RM5F7 has superior fiber quality with acceptable yield as compared with parents.Transgressive segregation was observed in RM5F7 RILs for both lint yield and fiber quality. Unfavorable associations between yield and fiber properties of length, strength, and uniformity in RM5F7 were reduced compared with RM0F7 or RM1F7. Therefore, MDRM provides a new breeding stock for cotton breeders to develop germplasm lines with desirable combinations between lint yield and fiber quality and unique combinations of alleles from exotic parents.