Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Percival, A. Edward
• Kohel, Russell J.

Titel

Distribution, Collection, and Evaluation of Gossypium

Ist Teil von

• Advances in Agronomy, 1990, Vol.44, p.225-256

Ort / Verlag

United States: Elsevier Science & Technology

Erscheinungsjahr

1990

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Cotton is of enormous importance to the world today. It is not only important economically in international trade, but is also used to clothe a substantial portion of the world's population. Cotton is both comfortable and utilitarian in nature. As a natural fiber and feed source, cotton is a renewable agricultural resource, which may help to keep it competitive with synthetic fibers from an environmental and ecological standpoint. Continued research with Gossypium germplasm is essential, as this is a complex genus. Though much has been accomplished in the understanding of the genus, much remains to be done. The genus contains differing ploidy levels that yield a high degree of variability, from highly improved allotetraploid species to wild diploid forms, and this variability has only begun to be tapped as a source of beneficial characteristics. Additionally, much variability may yet be found. A new species has been discovered every two to three years since the late 1950s, and as old areas are explored again, because of better access, and new areas become accessible, more species are likely to be found that provide additional variability and a better understanding of the genus.