Revolutionizing Cotton Breeding to Grow Better Fiber and Boost Farming Success

ARS researchers are laying the groundwork for cotton breeding to develop cultivars with superior fiber yield, quality, and agronomic performance. 

Cotton is the most valuable fiber crop grown in the U.S., with an overall business value of over $100B. However, cotton production is threatened by several challenges including extreme drought, pests, and diseases. Additionally, the lack of genetic diversity in the current genetic base can limit potential advances from traditional plant breeding approaches. It is important to breed cotton plants that can tolerate both environmental and pest challenges to help farmers thrive, protect their crops, and ensure a healthy harvest. 

ARS researchers at College Station, TX, and collaborators developed high-quality genome sequences for three American Upland cotton cultivars and the cotton standard genetic reference line. Upland cotton is the most widely grown cotton species, with upland varieties accounting for nearly 95% of the total cotton acreage. The new genome sequences improve cotton by adding superior traits from different types of cotton plants, providing cotton breeders with more options for growing better crops. Scientists also identified genes for cotton fiber development that can improve fiber quality, much needed for today’s cotton processing and products.