Correlation Analysis of Seed Kernel Oil Content and Major Economic Traits in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

One of the new directions in cotton breeding is to develop varieties with high oil content. In this study, we analyzed the relationships between the oil content of cottonseed kernels and other selected major economic traits of cotton. We used the DPS V3.01 data processing system to calculate linear correlation coefficients using experimental data for cottonseed oil content and other agronomic characteristics obtained from 108 cotton lines. There were no significant correlations between oil content and lint yield, boll numbers per plant, boll weight, and lint percentage. There were significant positive correlations between oil content and fiber uniformity, and oil content and elongation. The positive correlation between oil content and the fiber upper half mean length was not statistically significant. There were no significant correlations between oil content and fiber strength or fiber fineness. Oil content was weakly negatively correlated with Fusarium wilt resistance, but showed no correlation with Verticillium wilt resistance. The results of this study indicated that improvement of the oil content of cottonseed kernels will not affect lint production, and only weakly affect disease resistance. The results further indicated that such improvement may improve the fiber quality to some extent. Cottonseed kernel protein content and oil content were significantly negatively correlated. The findings indicated that it will be feasible to produce new varieties with high oil contents combined with good disease resistance, high lint yield, and better fiber quality. However, it will be very difficult to breed new varieties with both high oil and high protein content.