Woodhead Publishing Limited, 2012. All rights reserved. The concept of modern cotton breeding is to exploit the global gene pool, create novel variation through hybridization and select and stabilize new varieties for local adaptation. The overall goal of most breeding programs is similar, addressing quantity and quality of output, and then regional production constraints. Breeding to improve cotton cultivation involves a systematic method of observation, data collection and statistical analysis of plant performance in a number of different growing environments. This chapter discusses the origin, history and genetic basis of genus Gossypium; different breeding methodologies used for cotton improvement; fundamental knowledge of plant growth and development and gives a review of primary breeding targets for cotton.
