Elite fiber quality germplasm lines of upland cotton: TAM 11K-13 ELSU, TAM 11T-08 ELSU-ESU, and TAM 11L-24 LSU

Premium prices are paid to US upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) producers based on the US Commodity Credit Cooperation loan value for cotton having micronaire values between 3.7 and 4.2, upper half mean length (UHML) of 27.0 mm or greater (depending on leaf trash content and color grade), fiber bundle strength (Str) equal to or greater than 290 kN m kg^-1, and uniformity of fiber lengths greater than 82.0. Cotton produced in the United States is predominately exported, and international markets demand UHML of 27.8 mm. Since the severe drought and heat year of 2011, an increasing portion of upland cotton hectarage in Texas is grown without supplemental irrigation. The majority of US upland cotton is exported, and since lack of adequate moisture affects not only yield potential but also raw product quality, especially UHML and fiber maturity, breeders must continually improve fiber quality in order for the United States to remain competitive, especially under dryland culture. TAM 11K-13 ELSU (Reg. No. GP-1030, PI 684656), TAM 11T-08 ELSU-ESU (Reg. No. GP-1032, PI 684658), and TAM 11L-24 LSU (Reg. No. GP-1031, PI 684657) possess the potential to produce cotton fibers with UHML greater than current cultivars adapted to Texas and equal to or exceeding the minimum requirement for pima grade 1, 34.9 mm. TAM 11T-08 ELSU-ESU produces raw cotton fibers with Str exceeding all current cultivars available to Texas producers. All three will produce UHML and Str that exceed the minimum requirements for nondiscount and/or premiums within the current marketing structure.