1. Breeding Efforts towards Yield and Fiber Quality Improvement in Cotton
Vipin Dagaonkar
Lead Breeder, Bayer Crop Science, Hyderabad

2. Forward-Looking Statements
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3. Agenda Cotton Research and Development in Bayer
Goals for fiber quality
Fiber quality QTLs- correlation with yield &
other quality parameters
Fiber quality improvement beyond QTLs
Summary
Agenda

4. Breeding Objectives Selection as per requirements
Improved Yield and Yield Stability
Improved Fiber Quality > spinnability > Yarn Quality
Improved Agronomic Characteristics
Resistance to biotic stresses
Resistance to abiotic stresses
Precision Plant Characterization
Opportunities in Native Traits
Innovative Selection Methods
Genetic Modification
Optimizing the right tools or combination of tools
Molecular Breeding

5. Cotton Research and Development
Global network of facilities for cotton
Memphis TN
Leland MS
Mediterranean
Phoenix AZ
Ghent,BS Innovation Center
Hyderabad
Morrisville, BCS Innovation Center
Lubbock, Seeds Innovation Center
Lubbock TX
Australia
Africa
Costa Rica
Research Facility
Major Facility
Brazil
Breeding Site
Testing Site
South Africa

6. Diverse Germplasm Pool
Acquisitions
US Breeding
Brazil Breeding
Australia Breeding
Public Institutions
Molecular Breeding
Key to Improvement is
Genetic Variability

7. FiberMax – name for fiber quality
FiberMax has established name recognition at 70% of spinning mills
Better spinning quality than lines with similar HVI fiber measurements
Although farmers get paid on HVI measurements the certified Fibermax brand helps marketability
E3 program is working to increase the amount farmers get paid for growing cotton with higher spinning quality
High quality lines have been sold for a premium above the premium and discount schedule

8. India Breeding – Localizing Globalization Building right platform to enable genetic gain
In India, Bayer CropScience has been investing in breeding resources in recent years, transferring technologies and know-how from global research network.
Hybrids in SurpassTM brand are getting recognition in the Indian market
Focus area
Heterosis for yield & yield stability
Lint recovery & lint quality
Native traits for biotic resistance
Genotypes for mechanized picking

9. Partnering in cotton value chain for Sustainable cotton production
Yield Improvement in Marginal Area’s: Partnership with CITI-CDRA and state department Agriculture Rajasthan since for productivity & quality improvement in South & Central Rajasthan
Mechanization: Partnership with John Deere since 2011 for promotion of cotton mechanization across the country
Irrigation: Under Drip-Bay-Drip project testing products to identify candidates for registration. Testing of CNIs, Fiproles & Ketoenols under progress. Discussion on going with Netafim
Efficient use of CP & Imp of Fibre Quality: Work in progress for developing the production system for good fiber quality and sustainable cotton. Discussion ongoing with Arvind mills & Madura coats

10. Goals for fiber quality
Select for spinning quality
Fiber testing other than HVI on parents and plant selections
Novel approaches to monitor traits with large impacts on spinning quality
Mapping QTL for fiber quality
Knowing ways to include spinning quality in genomic selection
Many regions with large impact on quality
Many have negative correlations with each other and with yield
Studying the heritability of measurements
Studying the genetic architecture
QTL- Quantitative trait loci

11. Correlation with Yield & Other fiber traits
Fiber Quality QTLs
Correlation with Yield & Other fiber traits
QTLs are important to understand the number of genes controlling fiber quality
There are some QTLs with big impacts on fiber quality not impacting yield that can be combined with QTLs for yield.
Need to identify QTLs that positively influence multiple fiber traits
Markers allow us to makes these selections faster and precise
Markers give better predictability of fiber quality traits

12. Fiber quality versus spinning quality
Is HVI enough?
HVI testing
Provides lots of information about fiber quality
Micronaire
Combination of fiber fineness and fiber maturity
HVI and AFIS
Better prediction of yarn quality
Measures fineness and maturity independently
Allows breeders improve both
Hidden quality – not apparent in HVI data

13. Which fiber traits to work on improving for spinning quality?
HVI and AFIS gives measurement of nearly 30 different traits
We are working to understand:
which ones contribute most to spinning quality
Which ones are heritable – can be improved through selection
Studies done so far have indicated that only 5 of the nearly 30 traits have big impact on tenacity
Impact of HVI and AFIS fiber parameters on Yarn Tenacity

14. Summary
Complex co-relations exist between yield and fiber quality in cotton
QTLs for fiber quality help breeders in precise identification and transfer of quality traits in desired genetic background
Genomic selection helps in fiber quality improvement by picking smaller regions of the genome with positive effects
A combination of HVI and AFIS information helps selection of hidden parameters necessary for better yarn quality
FiberMax varieties developed using these approaches are under evaluation.

15. Thank you!