Genetics of the fuzzless ovule phenotype of Gossypium arboreum accession PI 615733 (cv. Zi-Hua Guang Zi)

Abstract Lint and fuzz are the two types of fiber that develop on cotton seeds. Lint is an economically important fiber used in the textile industry. Fuzz fibers remain attached to seeds, and reducing the amount of fuzz could improve ginning efficiency. The Gossypium arboreum accession PI 615733 from the United States Department of Agriculture cotton germplasm collection showed the fuzzless trait, where no fuzz fibers were observed on seeds. Accession PI 615733 was crossed with the fuzzy seeded G. arboreum accession PI 529729 to develop an F2 population. Seeds from F1 plants showed no fuzz fiber. For the F2 population of 409 plants, 239 plants were classified as fuzzless and 170 were classified as fuzzy. These data support a two-gene model with incomplete dominance. A greater understanding of the genetic mechanisms controlling fiber development on cotton seeds could contribute to breeding efforts to improve lint fiber yields and quality.