Breeding Efforts towards Yield and Fiber Quality Improvement in Cotton Vipin Dagaonkar Lead Breeder, Bayer Crop Science, Hyderabad

Forward-Looking Statements This website/release/presentation may contain forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by Bayer management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. These factors include those discussed in Bayer’s public reports which are available on the Bayer website at http://www.bayer.com/. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

Agenda Cotton Research and Development in Bayer Goals for fiber quality Fiber quality QTLs- correlation with yield & other quality parameters Fiber quality improvement beyond QTLs Summary Agenda

Breeding Objectives Selection as per requirements Improved Yield and Yield Stability Improved Fiber Quality > spinnability > Yarn Quality Improved Agronomic Characteristics Resistance to biotic stresses Resistance to abiotic stresses Precision Plant Characterization Opportunities in Native Traits Innovative Selection Methods Genetic Modification Optimizing the right tools or combination of tools Molecular Breeding

Cotton Research and Development Global network of facilities for cotton Memphis TN Leland MS Mediterranean Phoenix AZ Ghent,BS Innovation Center Hyderabad Morrisville, BCS Innovation Center Lubbock, Seeds Innovation Center Lubbock TX Australia Africa Costa Rica Research Facility Major Facility Brazil Breeding Site Testing Site South Africa

Diverse Germplasm Pool Acquisitions US Breeding Brazil Breeding Australia Breeding Public Institutions Molecular Breeding Key to Improvement is Genetic Variability

FiberMax – name for fiber quality FiberMax has established name recognition at 70% of spinning mills Better spinning quality than lines with similar HVI fiber measurements Although farmers get paid on HVI measurements the certified Fibermax brand helps marketability E3 program is working to increase the amount farmers get paid for growing cotton with higher spinning quality High quality lines have been sold for a premium above the premium and discount schedule

India Breeding – Localizing Globalization Building right platform to enable genetic gain In India, Bayer CropScience has been investing in breeding resources in recent years, transferring technologies and know-how from global research network. Hybrids in SurpassTM brand are getting recognition in the Indian market Focus area Heterosis for yield & yield stability Lint recovery & lint quality Native traits for biotic resistance Genotypes for mechanized picking

Partnering in cotton value chain for Sustainable cotton production Yield Improvement in Marginal Area’s: Partnership with CITI-CDRA and state department Agriculture Rajasthan since 2008 for productivity & quality improvement in South & Central Rajasthan Mechanization: Partnership with John Deere since 2011 for promotion of cotton mechanization across the country Irrigation: Under Drip-Bay-Drip project testing products to identify candidates for registration. Testing of CNIs, Fiproles & Ketoenols under progress. Discussion on going with Netafim Efficient use of CP & Imp of Fibre Quality: Work in progress for developing the production system for good fiber quality and sustainable cotton. Discussion ongoing with Arvind mills & Madura coats

Goals for fiber quality Select for spinning quality Fiber testing other than HVI on parents and plant selections Novel approaches to monitor traits with large impacts on spinning quality Mapping QTL for fiber quality Knowing ways to include spinning quality in genomic selection Many regions with large impact on quality Many have negative correlations with each other and with yield Studying the heritability of measurements Studying the genetic architecture QTL- Quantitative trait loci

Correlation with Yield & Other fiber traits Fiber Quality QTLs Correlation with Yield & Other fiber traits QTLs are important to understand the number of genes controlling fiber quality There are some QTLs with big impacts on fiber quality not impacting yield that can be combined with QTLs for yield. Need to identify QTLs that positively influence multiple fiber traits Markers allow us to makes these selections faster and precise Markers give better predictability of fiber quality traits

Fiber quality versus spinning quality Is HVI enough? HVI testing Provides lots of information about fiber quality Micronaire Combination of fiber fineness and fiber maturity HVI and AFIS Better prediction of yarn quality Measures fineness and maturity independently Allows breeders improve both Hidden quality – not apparent in HVI data

Which fiber traits to work on improving for spinning quality? HVI and AFIS gives measurement of nearly 30 different traits We are working to understand: which ones contribute most to spinning quality Which ones are heritable – can be improved through selection Studies done so far have indicated that only 5 of the nearly 30 traits have big impact on tenacity Impact of HVI and AFIS fiber parameters on Yarn Tenacity

Summary Complex co-relations exist between yield and fiber quality in cotton QTLs for fiber quality help breeders in precise identification and transfer of quality traits in desired genetic background Genomic selection helps in fiber quality improvement by picking smaller regions of the genome with positive effects A combination of HVI and AFIS information helps selection of hidden parameters necessary for better yarn quality FiberMax varieties developed using these approaches are under evaluation.

Thank you!