2006 Arizona Upland Cotton Advanced Strain Testing Program

Abstract

A series of experiments were conducted across three locations in Arizona to evaluate over 40 commercial cotton strains during the 2006 cotton growing season. These trials were conducted in Yuma, AZ (130 ft. above MSL); Maricopa, AZ (1170 ft. above MSL); and Safford, AZ (2900 ft. above MSL). Strains were planted in four row plots extending 38 feet in a randomized complete block design with a minimum of four replications. Each location had three commercial cotton varieties included as control treatments for comparison. Data collected on these trials included a series of plant measurements at three growth stages over the course of the season, yield and fiber quality data. All data were subjected to statistical analysis to test for differences among strains for yield and fiber quality. All three locations produced high yields despite high levels of heat stress in the lower deserts. Statistically significant differences were observed in yield and all fiber quality parameters at each location. Several lines performed considerably better than the commercial control varieties in terms of both yield and fiber quality indicating that continued progress is being made in developing new varieties that perform well in the varied cotton producing regions of Arizona.