Registration of four upland cotton germplasm lines with elevated levels of seed oil oleic acid

Four upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm lines, HOa1 (Reg. no. GP-1072, PI 691652), HOa2 (Reg. no. GP-1073, PI 691653), HOa3 (Reg. no. GP-1074, PI 691654), and HOa4 (Reg. no. GP-1075, PI 691655), with elevated levels of seed oil oleic acid were developed and released by the USDA-ARS. High seed oil levels of oleic acid have been reported for a small number of G. barbadense L. accessions. Included among these accessions is GB713, which is also known as a source of reniform nematode (Rotylenchulus reniformis Linford and Oliveira) resistance and has been used to breed this trait into an upland cotton background. Root-knot nematode resistance was bred into the GB713-based reni form-resistant lines to yield germplasm with resistance to both nematodes. Testing the nematode-resistant lines for seed oil fatty acid composition revealed elevated levels of oleic acid in some seeds. Selection and propagation of individual plants with the highest oleate levels indicated that the trait was stable for three successive generations with approximately double the level of oleic acid found in normal cottonseed oil. Oils with high levels of oleic acid are considered to be healthier and have improved oxidative stability at elevated temperature, making them preferred for some cooking and frying applications.