Correlated selection responses of fiber properties measured by high volume instrument and advanced fiber information system in Upland cotton

Fiber properties measured by high volume instrument (HVI) and advanced fiber information system (AFIS) are currently being used in Upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) breeding. It would be interesting to know if it is equally efficient in selection for parameters measured by the two instrumental systems and how are the correlated selection responses of the parameters between the two systems. A study was designed to determine the correlated selection responses between fiber properties measured by the two systems in F₃, F₄, and F₅ generations of two crosses, FM 832 × SP 205 and MD 52ne × JJ 1145ne. Selections for HVI-fiber length, HVI-short fiber content, and HVI-maturity were made in the F₃ generation and the correlated responses of AFIS-fiber properties to the selections were estimated in the subsequent F₄ and F₅ generations. Selections for AFIS-fiber length, AFIS-short fiber content, and AFIS-maturity were made in the F₄ generation and the correlated responses of HVI-fiber properties to the selections were estimated in the F₅ generation. Moderate to high realized heritability was identified for both HVI- and AFIS-fiber properties. Significant correlated selection responses of fiber length and maturity between the HVI and AFIS methods were consistently observed in both crosses, suggesting similar genetic basis for fiber length and maturity measured by HVI and AFIS. Therefore, equal effectiveness is expected of the selection for both traits by the two instrumental systems. Correlated selection responses of short fiber content parameters between the HVI and AFIS methods were not consistent, suggesting a possible different genetic basis or differential variations of measurement quality between the two systems.