Dr. Jinfa Zhang, a New Mexico State University professor, is the 2020 Cotton Genetics Research Award winner. During the 2021 Beltwide Cotton Improvement Conference, the winner was announced, which convened as part of the National Cotton Council-coordinated virtual 2021 Beltwide Cotton Conferences. Zhang, selected by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee, received a plaque and a monetary award.
The annual Cotton Genetics Research Award was established in 1961 by U.S. commercial cotton breeders to recognize and encourage basic research in cotton genetics, cytogenetics, and breeding. It is administered by the Joint Cotton Breeding Committee consisting of representatives of the NCC, USDA, state experiment stations, Cotton Incorporated and commercial breeders.
Dr. Mustafa McPherson, a breeder with Corteva, said, “It takes knowledge of the U.S. cotton industry to anticipate the need for a trait such as FOV4 and then to develop germplasm that will be useful to private breeders in the development of commercial varieties with resistance to FOV4. This a perfect example of basic research conducted by public breeders that are most valuable to the cotton industry.”
Dr. Megan Sweeney, a BASF cotton breeder, also supported the nomination by adding that Zhang released several gossip-free glandless lines and worked to establish a niche market for this material high-value food source and can be produced in low input environments.
