Yield should be the primary factor considered when choosing a cotton variety, followed by fiber quality and maturity. Top-yielding varieties should be considered first. There is often no statistical difference between the top-yielding varieties in a given trial. The least significant difference (LSD) reported below each table is the smallest difference in yield that can be considered a “true” difference. The most important factor is NOT the absolute number reported for a cotton variety’s yield or fiber quality. The most important question to answer is: “How did a variety yield RELATIVE to other varieties in the trial?” Another important number to look for is the test average or mean. Considering a variety’s performance relative to the average for the entire trial will help identify varieties that are above average at a given location.

Cotton varieties should be chosen only after considering their performance over multiple locations and years. Superior performance in one year can often indicate a good variety, but superior performance over multiple years indicates consistency and reliability. Varieties are now introduced at a rapid pace and have shorter life spans than in the past. Data for the newest varieties are often not available for multiple years. For these new varieties that do not yet have multi-year performance records, single location data may not be indicative of potential, and it is best to consider performance averaged across several locations.

Grower experience with a past variety is important for several reasons. Cotton varieties have differing growth habits and can be locally adapted to a small area and not another. Experience with a variety should be a factor, but newer varieties that perform well in trials should be considered, too.