New Tools and Traits for Cotton Improvement

The tools of modern biology are being employed to improve cotton production globally. Biotechnology is an important tool for cotton growers with first and second generation insect protected and herbicide-resistant products already in the marketplace. In the future, new products and additional stacked offerings will be available for these trait classes. New trait areas being explored include cotton tolerant to other agronomic pests, such as nematodes and fungi, cotton tolerant to abiotic stresses, and cotton with improved fiber quality and enhanced cottonseed and oil characteristics. The tools of modern biology are also greatly impacting advances in cotton breeding. A wide array of DNA markers can be deployed along with conventional breeding to accelerate the rate of genetic gain in cotton. Molecular breeding tools do not replace conventional breeding and selection but are an important complement in commercial breeding of cotton on a global scale.