A feasibility study of short season management in Pima cotton, using short season genotypes, was initiated in 1993. Four short season genotypes, a full season check, and a short season check were evaluated in replicated tests under short season and full season regimes. In this first preliminary year of data, no significant yield loss could be attributed to management regime or to earliness of genotypes. Three of the putative early maturing genotypes exceeded the full season Pima S-7 check in yield. Results were contrary to expectations. The short season test is planned for repeat in 1994. An investigation of a virescent mutant discovered in 1990 (CM-1-90) was conducted in 1991, 1992, and 1993. Crosses of the mutant to Pima S-6 to determine inheritance, and to various virescent mutants to determine allelism produced results which were anamolous to normal, nuclear inheritance. Reciprocal crosses to PS-6 and to various virescent mutants confirmed that the new mutant was cytoplasmicaly inherited.

Pima experimental strains P73, P75, P76, P77, and the cultivars Pima S-6 (PS-6) and Pima S-7 (PS-7) were grown in replicated regional tests at twelve locations across the Pima belt in 1993. Tests were machine harvested for yield determination, plant heights were measured, and lint samples were collected for fiber analysis. Considerable genotype by environment interaction for yield potential occurred across tests in 1993. Across all locations, the strain P76 ranked first in yield followed by the cultivar PS-7 and strain P75. Strains P73 and P76 produced fiber of equal or greater length, strength, and elongation than PS-7. Plant heights were greatest for the entries PS-6 and P75. Entries PS-7 and P73 were intermediate in height, while P76 and P77 were the shortest of the entries tested. Considering yield and fiber properties concurrently, P76 was the superior entry of the 1993 tests.

Twelve Pima varieties and experimental strains were grown in a replicated trial at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. Lint yield, boll size, lint %, gin turnout %, plant population and fiber property data are presented in this report.

Sixteen long staple cotton varieties (including 4 Pima experimental lines) were tested in a replicated small plot trial on the Safford Agricultural Center. Plots were machine harvested twice to determine yield and percent first pick Small hand samples were taken to determine boll size, percent lint turnout and fiber qualities. Pima S-6 was the highest yielding variety with 1110 pounds per acre of lint. Five of the sixteen varieties yielded over 2 bales per acre. A new variety OA 312 looks particularly promising with yield very close to S-6, fiber quality better than S-6 and an earliness that approaches that of S-7.

A short season feasibility study, using early maturing Pinta genotypes was conducted for a second season. Four early maturing genotypes, a short season check (P62) and a full season check variety (PS-7) were evaluated in replicated tests under short season and full season regimes. In both 1993 and 1994, most genotypes reached cutout around August 4, with 2759 accumulated heat units. All genotypes were earlier maturing than PS-7, as indicated by plant growth measurements and by sequential harvests. In 1994, the four early maturing experimental genotypes produced yields equal to or slightly better than the longer season cultivar PS-7. No differences in yield occurred between the short season and standard practice management systems in either year. A fiber improvement project was initiated in 1989 with the primary goals of increasing the fiber length and strength potential of Pima cotton. In 1989 the early maturing, short statured Pima strain P62 was crossed to Giza 45 and Giza 70 to transfer the fiber strength of those varieties into a heat tolerant, earlier maturing, productive Pima background. Likewise, P62 was crossed to the Sea Island cultivar St. Vincent V-135 with the objective of transferring the latter cultivar's long fiber length into an agronomic Pima background. Two resulting lines, one possessing high fiber strength and the other possessing high fiber length are planned for release in 1995-96.

Ten long staple varieties (including two Pima experimental lines) were tested in a replicated small plot trial on the Safford Agricultural Center in Graham county at an elevation of 2950 feet. Even though the total number of heat units received during the season was nearly as high as the previous year, the average yield was nearly 300 pounds per acre lower. Olvey and Associates OA 304 was the highest yielding variety with a yield of 776 pounds per acre of lint and only two varieties broke the bale and a half mark. Yield and other agronomic data as well as fiber quality data are contained in this paper.

Nine Pima varieties and experimental strains were grown in a replicated trial at the Maricopa Agricultural Center. Lint yield, boll size, lint percent, plant population and fiber property data are presented in this report.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of five experimental lines (P73, P75, P76, P80, and P81) with two commercial varieties ('Pima S-6' and 'Pima S-79 of Pima cotton. All seven strains were grown in replicated strip tests at four locations across the Pima belt in 1994. While none of the experimental lines produced significantly more lint than the best Pima variety at any site, some of them possess traits that are valuable to Pima cotton breeders. P73 has long and strong fiber. P76 is a high yielding, early maturing line that produces long and strong fiber. P80's lint yields are similar to Pima S-7, but it is significantly earlier.

Sixteen long staple varieties were tested in a replicated small plot trial on the Safford Agricultural Center in Graham county at an elevation of 2950 feet. The highest yielding variety in 1997 was OA 325 with a yield of 746 pounds of lint per acre. It was followed by four other Olvey varieties yielding over 700 pounds per acre. 1997 was not a good Pima cotton year in this valley, weather problems early and insect problems late in the season both took their toll. Yields were more than 300 pounds lower than the previous year and 100 pounds less than in 1995. Yield and other agronomic data as well as fiber quality data are contained in this paper.

Eighteen Pima varieties were grown in a replicated trial at the Maricopa Agricultural Center as part of the national cotton variety testing program. Lint yield, boll size, lint percent, plant population and fiber property data are presented in this report.