Use of the naked-tufted mutant in upland cotton to improve fiber quality, increase seed oil content, increase ginning efficiency, and reduce the cost of delinting
Described is a naked-tufted seed mutant line of Gossypium hirsutum L., developed from lines initially produced by chemical mutagenesis, which significantly reduces the formation of linters on the surface of the cotton seed. In a preferred embodiment, the lines carrying the naked seed mutation have reduced seed coat neps, reduced short fiber content, improved yarn quality, increased seed oil content, and improved AFIS fiber maturity. The naked-tufted seed of the mutant line significantly reduces the time and energy required for ginning, oil extraction, and reduces the need to delint the cotton seed prior to planting. In a preferred embodiment, the mutant is incorporated into a well-adapted commercial cultivar of upland cotton.
