Comparison of Cotton Germplasm Collections for Seed-Protein Content 1

Gossypium hirsutum L, germplasm from the cultivated and center-of-origin collections were evaluated for seed-protein content (N ✕ 6.25) to provide information for potential selection and genetic modification of cottonseed quality. Whole, acid-delinted, dried cottonseed were digested for nitrogen determinations by automated microkjeldahl procedures. These data were combined with previous evaluations of physical characteristics and seedoil content, and this information provided the basis to compare collections of cultivated Upland germplasm with exotic centerof-origin germplasm. Differences in seed constituents between collections and the size of correlations between seed constituents suggests that the potential exists to modify cottonseed quality.