Registration of ‘UA222’ Cotton Cultivar

Abstract

‘UA222’ (Reg. No. CV‐130, PI 664929) is a conventional cultivar of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) that was released by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station in November 2011. UA222 was released as part of an ongoing effort to develop improved genotypes having enhanced yield, yield components, earliness, host‐plant resistance, and fiber properties. Lint yields of UA222 were 10 and 13% greater than those of DP393 and SG105, respectively, at four Arkansas locations over 4 yr. These enhanced lint yields were related to greater lint per seed rather than to more seed per area. Lint yields of UA222 in tests outside of Arkansas indicate that it is widely adapted. UA222 displays high resistance to bacterial blight [caused by Xanthomonas campestris pv. malvacearum (Smith) Dye] and is the same as DP 393 in its response to other diseases and to tarnished plant bugs [Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois)]. UA222 exhibited greater fiber length, length uniformity, and elongation and lower micronaire than DP393 and SG105. These fiber qualities are positively related to better spinning performance. UA222 displays an unusual combination of high‐yield, high fiber quality, and host‐plant resistance traits.