Effect of moisture stress on cotton genotypes

Abstract

The seeds of ten cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) genotypes viz., AKH-09-5, AKH-2012-8, AKH-1301, AKH-1302, NH-545, AKH-9916, AKH-8828, PKV Rajat and NH-615 were sown in three replications. One set of genotypes was grown in field condition and another set was placed under rainout shelter, both were replicated thrice. The present investigation was conducted during kharif season of 2018-19 in Randomized block design at the experimental field of Cotton Research Unit, Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (M.S.) under non stress and water stress condition. The conducted experiment indicates the physiological response of cotton genotypes at different level of water stress. Under control condition pot culture was maintained with desired quantity of irrigation up to initiation of bolls. Water stress was imposed at initiation of bolls for 12 days for every genotype and replication wise. Second stress was imposed 12 days after first stress. Genotypes under water stress condition was sown in 90 earthen pots with five holes of 2.5 cm deep. Different morpho-physiological traits like plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, total dry matter production, root length, root: shoot dry weight ratio, relative leaf water content, proline content, total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll stability index, yield and yield contributing characters were studied to determine the effect of moisture stress on genotypes. The result indicates that genotypes under water stress condition (control condition) were more affected by moisture stress while field condition retained the regular growth habits of genotypes (except in some environmental conditions).