@article{cole_bowman_bourland_caldwell_campbell_fraser_weaver_2009, title={Impact of Heterozygosity and Heterogeneity on Cotton Lint Yield Stability}, volume={49}, ISSN={["1435-0653"]}, DOI={10.2135/cropsci2008.08.0450}, abstractNote={ABSTRACT In the last 8 yr, cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) growers in North Carolina have experienced variations in the year‐to‐year lint yield averages that range from a 56% increase to a 49% decrease. This variability results in wild fluctuations in income and a desire for more stable yields. Genetic structure may contribute to stability. This study was conducted to determine the impact of heterozygosity and heterogeneity on lint yield stability. Lint yield was observed in 18 environments over 3 yr among four population types that included homozygous lines grown in pure stands, homozygous lines grown in blended stands, hybrids grown in pure stands, and hybrids grown in blended stands. Comparisons were made using trait means, standard deviations, and the coefficients of variation (CVs) calculated over environments. There was no significant difference between lines grown in pure stands and blended lines with respect to yield or stability. Hybrids had a lower CV (were more stable) than homozygous lines. This stability was attributed to the hybrids and blends of hybrids out‐yielding the homozygous lines and blends of homozygous lines in the low‐yielding environments, but having similar yields in the high‐yielding environments. These results do not support growing blends to increase stability or yield; however, growing hybrid cultivars could result in increased yields while reducing variability compared with current production practices.}, number={5}, journal={CROP SCIENCE}, author={Cole, C. B. and Bowman, D. T. and Bourland, F. M. and Caldwell, W. D. and Campbell, B. T. and Fraser, D. E. and Weaver, D. B.}, year={2009}, pages={1577–1585} }