Recent trends in genetic improvement of the cotton plant
1982
Roux, J.B. (Institut de Recherche du Coton et des Textiles exotiques, Paris (France))
Cotton crops still play an important role in the economics of many countries, some with very advanced agriculture, others less advanced. The cotton plant, which produces not only fibre for cloth but also oil, presents many problems that genetic engineering can do much to solve; important progress has been made in this area which has given the lie to the pessimism of 20 to 25 years ago. Varieties have been developed that are resistant to various diseases, and parasite-resistant characteristics have emerged, some of which have been imparted to commercial varieties. Technological improvements have been obtained, especially through the use of inter-specific hybridization. Important new characteristics have been found in G. hirsutum ('High-gossypol', 'glandless'). Others are the product of inter-specific crossings, including cytoplasmic male sterility, which could make economic exploitation of cotton hybrid possible. Further progress based on crosses between species is foreseeable. Mutagenesis has likewise yielded a number of positive results, leading in some cases to the development of interesting new varieties. The abundant research carried out in this area for some years has made it possible to identify the techniques that are effective. Despite its inherent disadvantages, mutagenesis is an additional tool in genetic engineering which those engaged in selection work cannot afford to ignore. (author)
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