Evaluation location: Mississippi, United States
Accessions were evaluated for descriptive characteristics, agronomic performance, and seed composition in Stoneville, Mississippi (Lat. 33o 26' N). Accession ranges included were FC 03.659 to PI 520.732 in maturity group VI. Also included were cultivars in the same maturity group that were developed at public institutions in the United States and Canada and released by 1991. The evaluation was planted in mid-May, 1992 and May 17, 1993. The test was replicated once per year. 1993 was much drier than 1992 and supplemental irrigation was required. Almost all entries flowered earlier in 1992 than in 1993 but matured at about the same time in both years. Plant height and yield were both significantly lower in 1993 than in 1992. Plots were four rows wide, with rows 3.6 m long and 91 cm between rows. Only the center two rows of each plot were harvested for yield. Plots were not end trimmed at maturity so yield values reported here slightly overestimate the actual yield. For the MG VI evaluation, only 1993 yield data could be used. Based on data collected in these evaluations, maturity groups for some accessions were changed from those reported in earlier publications. The seed and oil composition data were collected at the USDA Northern Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria, IL. Protein and oil percentages for lines with yellow seed coats were obtained using infrared instrumentation (NIR). Composition percentages for those with colored or very heavily mottled seed coats were obtained with the Kjeldahl procedure for protein and Butt extraction for oil. Fatty acid composition was determined by gas-liquid chromatography.