Registration of ‘UA103’ Cotton Cultivar

Abstract

‘UA103’ (Reg. No. CV‐131, PI 664928) is a conventional open‐canopy (okra‐leaf) cultivar of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), that was released by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in July 2011. The cultivar was released as part of an ongoing effort to develop improved genotypes having enhanced yield, yield components, earliness, host‐plant resistance, and fiber properties. UA103 expressed earlier maturation (as indicated by the percentage of open bolls rated after first defoliation) than ‘DP 393’, which is considered a short‐season cultivar. When evaluated over years and locations, lint yields of UA103 were equal to those of DP 393, but lint yields of UA103 were lower than DP 393 at Keiser and Marianna. The lower yields at Keiser may be related to the very early maturity of UA103. Lint yields of UA103 were the result of greater lint per seed but fewer seed per area. Lint yields of UA103 in tests outside of Arkansas were highly variable, which may be related to its maturity. UA103 displays high resistance to bacterial blight [caused by Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. malvacearum (Smith) Dye] but is more sensitive than DP 393 to tarnished plant bug [Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)]. UA103 exhibited longer fibers and lower micronaire than DP 393. These fiber qualities are positively correlated with better spinning performance. UA103 displays a specific combination of high yield ability in certain environments, very early maturity, high fiber quality, and host‐plant resistance traits.