Genetic Improvement of the Pee Dee Cotton Germplasm Collection following Seventy Years of Plant Breeding

摘要

One of the most significant, long-term public U. S. Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm enhancement programs is known as the Pee Dee germplasm program. The unique, genetic foundation of the Pee Dee germplasm was created using germplasm from Upland, Sea Island (Gossypium barbadense L.), and primitive diploid cottons. Since the program's inception in 1935, the Pee Dee germplasm program has released > 80 improved germplasm lines and cultivars. In this study, the agronomic and fiber quality performance of Pee Dee germplasm was evaluated across southeastern U. S. environments to estimate genetic improvement within the Pee Dee germplasm program. Results suggest that the Pee Dee germplasm enhancement program has (i) maintained usable genetic variation and (ii) maintained high fiber quality potential while concomitantly improving agronomic performance. Although the results highlight the need to continue improving lint percent, lint yield, and bolls m(-2), there is also evidence to suggest that Pee Dee germplasm can continue being utilized to develop the next generation of high-fiber-quality and high-yielding cotton cultivars.