Acala 1517 cotton varieties for New Mexico

              Cooperative Extension Service
College of Agriculture and
Home Economics
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Acala 1517
Cotton Varieties
for New Mexico
Guide A-212
Charles R. Glover, Extension Agronomist
This publication is scheduled to be updated and reissued 8/01.
WHY PLANT ACALA 1517 COTTON?
The demand for acala quality cotton has always
surpassed the supply. Although some farmers may use
the loan for ready cash, Acala cottons do not remain
in the loan and add to the surplus or carryover.
Acala 1517 cotton possess a staple length of 1 1/8
inch or longer, and strength measured by HVI of more
than 25 grams per tex. These properties make the
Acala 1517 cottons the longest, strongest, and finest
fiber in an upland cotton.
The Acala 1517 cottons were developed at an el-evation
near 4,000 feet by the New Mexico State Uni-versity
Agricultural Experiment Station. This makes
these varieties well adapted to the unique conditions
in New Mexico.
Cotton breeders at NMSU have placed emphasis on
improving yield, lint percentage, and pest resistance
while maintaining the unique fiber properties associ-ated
with Acala 1517 cotton. This emphasis has re-sulted
in varieties that are competitive with other
adapted varieties while exhibiting superior fiber properties.
Prices received for Acala 1517 cottons in recent
years have averaged from 5 to 10 cents a pound more
than other upland cottons. This price advantage,
added to competitive yields, should provide the incen-tive
to grow Acala 1517 varieties.
A WIDE RANGE OF ACALA 1517
VARIETIES ARE AVAILABLE
There are Acala 1517 varieties available to provide
the cotton farmer with a variety that will fit growing
conditions and cultural practices. Selection of variet-ies
is an important factor in cotton production. Farm-ers
should closely examine the adaption of a variety to
meet the needs of their operation. Most likely they will
find an Acala 1517 variety that will meet their needs.
The following description of the available Acala
1517 varieties define characteristics that can help in
selecting the Acala 1517 varieties best suited to a par-ticular
operation.
Acala 1517-75
Acala 1517-75 is a full season, open boll type cot-ton.
It has the large shape and type associated with
Acala. Planting rates should be no thicker than three
plants per foot. Acala 1517-75 is tolerant to verticil-lium
wilt, but has susceptibility to bacterial blight.
It is best adapted to southern New Mexico. Cultural
practices designed to encourage earliness should be
considered to utilize the relatively short growing sea-son
in New Mexico. Timing of irrigation and fertiliza-tion
is important for best results.
Acala 1517-77BR
Selection from Acala 1517-77 were used to de-velop
Acala 1517-77BR. It is a full season, open boll
type with a plant size and shape similar to Acala 1517-75.
The variety incorporates resistance to races 1 and 2
and Tularosa of bacterial blight, but only has moder-ate
tolerance to Verticillium wilt.
Acala 1517-77BR is adapted to most of the cotton
areas of the state, and the practices to encourage early
maturity should be considered.
Acala 1517-88
This variety is a selection from a cross between
Acala 1517-77BR and Delta pine 70, a heat tolerant
variety. It is an open boll, full season variety that ma-tures
a few days earlier than Acala 1517-75.
Similar in plant size and shape to Acala 1517-
77BR, it is best adapted to a plant population of thee
plants per foot.