Cotton Incorporated
Agricultural Research Department

The Agricultural Research Division (ARD) is one of four Cotton Incorporated research divisions providing research, technical services, and technology-transfer to cotton growers and mills. The Division is a link between the textile industry, cotton-producers, and the research and extension communities.

Our Mission

Improve the profitability of cotton through creation and utilization of knowledge in the agricultural sciences.

Our Vision

Facilitate progress in the profitability of cotton production.

The ARD budget for 2008 is $11.16 million (M); 14% of Cotton Incorporated's total budget. A core program ($5.6M) is planned by ARD staff in consultation with cotton producers and cotton scientists. The State Support Program (SSP) budget is 7.5% of all grower contributions to the Cotton Board and is allocated among cotton-producing states in proportion to their cotton production. Individual State Support Committees plan the Program, working with ARD staff. SSP funding for 2008 is $3.6M. An operating budget of $1.99M covers both programs.

Research is conducted primarily through cooperative agreements with scientists in the public sector, but also with private industry.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS 2008

Breeding and Genetics – We support public breeding programs across the Cotton Belt to sustain genetic improvements for yield, fiber quality, and stress tolerance. The focus is the development and public release of germplasm lines that can be used for breeding future cotton varieties. New technologies are being developed and adapted to fiber quality improvement. Long-term genetic research has led to release of germplasm with high levels of resistance to Root Knot Nematode (RKN) in high yielding genetic backgrounds and the first ever release of cotton germplasm with high levels of resistance to the Reniform Nematode. A Cotton Incorporated Fellowship program is educating a new generation of cotton breeders, trained to utilize the latest technology in cotton genetic improvement.

Biotechnology – Research on DNA markers associated with RKN resistance has been published that can be used in accelerating the breeding process.

Harvest Systems — Equipment manufacturers are developing new on-board module systems that could one day eliminate the need for a module builder, boll buggy, and the associated labor. Research to evaluate the performance of these emerging harvesters in terms of field efficiency, preservation of quality during storage, and farm-level economic impact is ongoing.