Effect of Seed Source on Seedling Vigor, Yield, and Lint Characteristics of Upland Cotton, Gossypmm hirsutum L. 1

Seed of ‘Empire WR 61’ and ‘Coker 100A WR’ Upland cotton (L.) from a common source were selfed or grown in isolated blocks for one generation at nine locations (sources). These seed were subsequently planted at Experiment, Georgia, in 1965 and 1966. Lint yield and seedling vigor data indicated that differences in progeny performance each year, and for both years combined, were associated with seed source. Seed source did not affect lint percent, seed index, boll size, fiber length, fiber strength, and fiber fineness either year. Correlations between progeny yield and vigor rating (r = 0.988 in 1965, r = 0.977 in 1966, and r = 0.988 for the combined data) were highly significant (P≤.Ol) indicating that vigor ratings were good indicators of progeny performance. Correlations between progeny yield and September minimum temperature at seed source (r = _0.519 in 1965, r = _0.553 in 1966, and r = _0.540 for the combined data), and between progeny yield and August rainfall at seed source (r = 0.524 in 1965, r = 0.535 in 1966, and r = 0.532 for the combined data) were significant (P≤.05) and each accounted for about 27% of the variability among seed sources. Higher temperatures and lower rainfall were associated with lower yield and poorer seedling vigor.