1

New Varieties andNew Varieties andUS Cotton QualityUS Cotton Quality

Kenneth B. HoodKenneth B. HoodChairman of the National Cotton CouncilChairman of the National Cotton Council

H.B. Hood and Sons Gin & Perthshire FarmsH.B. Hood and Sons Gin & Perthshire Farms

Gunnison, MSGunnison, MS

2

United States Cotton BeltUnited States Cotton Belt

PerthshireFarms

PerthshireFarms

3

Perthshire FarmsPerthshire FarmsIn the Mississippi DeltaIn the Mississippi Delta

4

Variety SelectionVariety Selection

Seed variety is the first decision about quality.Seed variety is the first decision about quality.

5

Cotton QualityCotton Quality

Seed VarietySeed Variety WeatherWeather

PestsPests ManagementManagement

6

Variations in QualityDue to the Environment

Variations in QualityDue to the Environment

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Pe

rce

nt

of

Va

ria

tio

n

Yield

Length

Strength

Mic

7

New ManagementNew ManagementTechnologyTechnology

AnticipatesAnticipates Crop Needs Crop Needs

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Technologies Used in Precision FarmingTechnologies Used in Precision Farming

Plant PhysiologyPlant Physiology Soil FertilitySoil Fertility

Canopy ReflectanceCanopy ReflectanceRemote Sensing/GISRemote Sensing/GIS GPS GPS

Variable-Rate Variable-Rate Application Application EquipmentEquipment

9

Remotely Sensed Stress Image Remotely Sensed Stress Image

and Yield Mapand Yield Map

10

Using imagery as Using imagery as a guide, a GPS-a guide, a GPS-equipped equipped applicator can applicator can spray only where spray only where needed.needed.

Miridae (Plant Bug)

Spatially-Variable Insecticide ApplicationSpatially-Variable Insecticide Application

Less Healthy More Healthy

11

Irrigation SchedulingIrrigation Scheduling

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Varieties Differ Widely Across the United States

Varieties Differ Widely Across the United States

Variety and climate variations produce a wide range of fiber qualities

Variety and climate variations produce a wide range of fiber qualities

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Wide Diversity of ChoicesWide Diversity of Choices

Staple Length 1 to 1.44 in. Strength 25 - 33 g/tex Micronaire (Mic) 3.2 - 5.0 Length Uniformity 80 - 82

Staple Length 1 to 1.44 in. Strength 25 - 33 g/tex Micronaire (Mic) 3.2 - 5.0 Length Uniformity 80 - 82

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2002 US Cotton QualityAs of 11/07/02

2002 US Cotton QualityAs of 11/07/02

White Grade 75% Light Spot Grade 22% Average Micronaire 4.6 Average Length

34.6(32nd) Average Strength 28(g/tex)

White Grade 75% Light Spot Grade 22% Average Micronaire 4.6 Average Length

34.6(32nd) Average Strength 28(g/tex)

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United States Cotton BeltUnited States Cotton Belt

Far West

SouthEast

MidSouth

SouthSouthWestWest

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Average Mic 2001 CropAverage Mic 2001 Crop

4.5

4

4.5

4.3

3.8 4 4.2 4.4 4.6

Far West

Southwest

Mid South

Southeast

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Average Length Uniformity Index 2001

Average Length Uniformity Index 2001

81.7

80.3

81.3

81.1

80 81 82

Far West

Southwest

Mid South

Southeast

Length Uniformity Index

81.7

80.3

81.3

81.1

80 81 82

Far West

Southwest

Mid South

Southeast

Length Uniformity Index

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Average Strength 2001Average Strength 2001

30.6

27.1

27

26.8

22 24 26 28 30 32

Far West

Southwest

Mid South

Southeast

Strength (g/tex)

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Average Staple Length 2001Average Staple Length 2001

35.9

32.9

34.1

34.2

32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Far West

Southwest

Mid South

Southeast

Staple Length (1/32 inch)

35.9

32.9

34.1

34.2

32 33 34 35 36 37 38

Far West

Southwest

Mid South

Southeast

Staple Length (1/32 inch)

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Emerging TrendsEmerging Trendsin Variety in Variety

DevelopmentDevelopment

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New Varieties In Development

New Varieties In Development

Changing needs of textile industry Growers pressed for high yield

(economics) and high quality (customer needs)

Seed companies breeding new genetics that will improve yield and quality to better meet grower and mill needs

Competitive pressure of seed companies

Changing needs of textile industry Growers pressed for high yield

(economics) and high quality (customer needs)

Seed companies breeding new genetics that will improve yield and quality to better meet grower and mill needs

Competitive pressure of seed companies

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New Varieties Moving into the Market

New Varieties Moving into the Market

Germplasm from many global research efforts• Bringing new germplasm with unique

traits• High yield with good fiber quality

Germplasm from many global research efforts• Bringing new germplasm with unique

traits• High yield with good fiber quality

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Comparison of Experimental Variety With Current Popular

Variety

Comparison of Experimental Variety With Current Popular

Variety

Height of bar is the percent change from commercial variety.

Height of bar is the percent change from commercial variety.

-12

-8

-4

0

4

8

Length

Strength M

ic

Pe

rce

nt

Ch

an

ge

-12

-8

-4

0

4

8

Length

Strength M

ic

Pe

rce

nt

Ch

an

ge

35.835.8 29.4 g/tex29.4 g/tex

4.34.3

24

-20

-15

-10

-5

0

5

10

Staple Strength Mic Unif.

Early-Season VarietyVs.

Popular Early Season Variety

Early-Season VarietyVs.

Popular Early Season Variety

55 Locations 2000 to 10/22/2002

% o

f C

urr

en

t P

op

ula

r V

ari

ety

Current Variety = 34.3 27.1 4.87 83.1

35.735.7 28.5 g/tex28.5 g/tex

4.144.14

83.083.0

25

-5

0

5

Staple Strength Mic

New Full Season VarietyVs.

A Popular Full Season Variety

New Full Season VarietyVs.

A Popular Full Season Variety

% o

f P

op

ula

r V

arie

ty

36.0

30.0

4.40

Current VarietyCurrent Variety 34.334.3 27.127.1 4.874.87

26

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

4

5

Staple Strength Mic Unif.

New Conventional Variety VS.

Popular Conventional Variety

New Conventional Variety VS.

Popular Conventional Variety

96 Locations 1999 to 2002

% o

f P

op

ula

r V

arie

ty

Standard = 36.1 30.9 4.14 82.6

37.4

28.1

4.24

82.4

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BiotechnologyBiotechnology

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Has biotechnology Has biotechnology affected fiber quality?affected fiber quality?

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How do transgenic How do transgenic varieties compare varieties compare

to their to their conventional conventional

counterparts?counterparts?

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Official Variety TrialsOfficial Variety Trials

Conducted by University Scientists 16 states 6 years (1995-2000) 422 different location-years Compared transgenic variety with its

parent when planted in the same fields

Conducted by University Scientists 16 states 6 years (1995-2000) 422 different location-years Compared transgenic variety with its

parent when planted in the same fields

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Yield: Transgenic Varieties Vs. Recurrent Parents

Yield: Transgenic Varieties Vs. Recurrent Parents

Source: NCC review of US Official Variety Trials 1995-2000

-5

0

5

Bt Bt/RR RR BXN

% o

f P

aren

t%

of

Par

ent

32

Fiber Strength: Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

Fiber Strength: Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

-5

-2.5

0

2.5

5

Bt Bt/RR RR BXN

-5

-2.5

0

2.5

5

Bt Bt/RR RR BXN

Source: NCC review of US Official Variety Trials 1995-2000

% o

f P

aren

t%

of

Par

ent

33

Staple Length: Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

Staple Length: Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

-5

0

5

Bt Bt/RR RR BXN

-5

0

5

Bt Bt/RR RR BXN

Source: NCC review of US Official Variety Trials 1995-2000

% o

f P

aren

t%

of

Par

ent

34

Micronaire: Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

Micronaire: Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

-5

0

5

Bt Bt/RR RR BXN

Source: NCC review of US Official Variety Trials 1995-2000

% o

f P

aren

t%

of

Par

ent

35

Length Uniformity Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

Length Uniformity Transgenic Vs. Recurrent Parents

-3

-2

-1

0

1

2

3

Bt Bt/RR RR BXN

Source: NCC review of US Official Variety Trials 1995-2000

% o

f P

aren

t%

of

Par

ent

36

ConclusionConclusion

Varieties are improving in both yield and quality

Technology for managing plant stress also is improving

DNA transformation has not caused a fiber quality change

Varieties are improving in both yield and quality

Technology for managing plant stress also is improving

DNA transformation has not caused a fiber quality change