Food and Feeding Quality of Cottonseed

The research objective for production of quality cottonseed that has been a major concern of cottonseed researchers for many years is to: "Identify the genetic variability of cottonseed composition, determine the genetic control of cottonseed traits, and develop preferred cotton· seed quality germplasm; develop an understanding of developmental processes of the plant that leads to improved cottonseed composition, and develop methods to measure and evaluate quality parameters; and identify cultural practices, production systems, and handling procedures suited for the production of high quality seeds" (National Cotton Research Task Force, 1979). During the past 80 years, intermittent periods of increased research on cottonseed composition have improved understanding of the innuence genetics and growing location have on seed quality, and the quantity of such seed storage constituents as oil, protein and gossypoL These periods of increased interest, however, have been short lived, and little progress has been made toward the stated objective.