Characterization and screening of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) germplasm for leafhopper (Amrasca biguttula biguttula (Ishida)) resistance

Abstract

BackgroundCotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most significant fibre and cash crops and plays an important role in Indian industrial and agricultural economies. However, over the years quantity and quality have been hampered by the pest leafhopper. Leafhopper alone has been shown to cause yield losses of up to 40%. In this study, screening and evaluation were performed to identify and categorize 100 cotton genotypes along with 5 checks as resistant, moderately resistant, sensitive and highly sensitive to leafhoppers.ResultsA total of hundred genotypes were evaluated along with five checks for leafhopper resistance. Based on the screening results, a total of 19 genotypes were resistant to leafhoppers, which was on par with the findings of the check KC 3. The contents of total soluble sugar, total soluble protein, and total free amino acids were significantly positively correlated with the mean grade, whereas total phenols content and trichome density were significantly negatively correlated with the susceptibility grade. However, based on screening and biochemical analysis, the genotypes KC 2, JR-23, Samaru-26-T, D 4, TCH 1728, RS 253, and B-61-1862 exhibited high resistance to leafhopper.ConclusionAccording to the findings of this study, choosing genotypes with high total phenolics content together with high trichome density and low contents of total soluble sugar, total soluble protein, and free amino acids may aid in the development of resistant genotypes.