Number Of Bolls Research Articles

Effect of Fungicide Application in Combination with Different Growth Regulators on Cotton Boll Quality and Yield in the Northwest Inland of China

Cotton yield can be stabilized by regulating the number and weight of bolls through the application of growth regulators. A field experiment was conducted in Xiaya, Xinjiang, from 2021 to 2023. The primary treatment involved a 40% pyraclostrobin suspension (300 mL/ha) combined with different growth regulators: 14-hydroxylated brassinosteroid (150 mL/ha, M1), 0.1% thidiazuron (150 mL/ha, M2), or 8% diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (150 g/ha, M3). Clear water (M0) was used as the control treatment. This study examined the interaction between year and treatment and analyzed key factors affecting cotton yield. The results indicated a significant interaction effect between chemical treatments and yield across the years. All treatments led to an increase in yield compared with the control, with notable improvements in the number of bolls per unit area, boll weight, leaf area index, and net photosynthesis rate of cotton leaves. From a spatial perspective, the treatments effectively enhanced the number of bolls in the upper part of the plant. A positive correlation was observed between the number of new bolls and seed cotton yield. Among the treatments, the M2 treatment proved to be the most effective, which substantially increased the number of bolls in the upper part of the plant, as well as the total number of bolls per unit area and boll weight, resulting in a significant yield improvement. These findings can guide the development of chemical regulation strategies for cotton production in the Aksu region of Xinjiang, China, providing a valuable reference for enhancing local cotton yield.

Exploring the differences in traits and genes between brown cotton and white cotton hybrid offspring (Gossypium hirsutum L.).

Brown cotton and white cotton are two important raw materials used in the cotton fiber industry. Clarifying the differences in morphology, agronomic traits, and fiber pigments between these varieties can facilitate the implementation of corresponding cultivation and breeding techniques. Therefore, we obtained F2 generation brown cotton plants through hybridization and compared them with their parents. In terms of agronomic traits, plant morphology and leaf shape were similar, but brown cotton presented more villi on the main stem. The first fruiting branch node was within the range of 4-6cm, and the first fruiting branch node height was greater than that of TM-1, i.e., between 13.25cm and 22.79cm, with no difference compared with that of P26. The plant height was greater than that of the parents, and the number of bolls was essentially the same as that in TM-1 and greater than that in P26. The lint percentage and average fiber length were lower in TM-1 than in P26, and the seed index was greater than that in TM-1 and P26. Pigment measurements revealed that the chlorophyll a content in brown cotton during the boll stage was lower than that in white cotton, and the content of proanthocyanidin in the cotton fibers was greater in brown cotton than in white cotton. At 15days after pollination, the highest content was 159.8mg/g. To determine the differences in gene expression levels, we conducted transcriptome sequencing. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched in pathways related to the cell wall and enzyme activity, whereas Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the DEGs were enriched in flavonoid synthesis pathways. Transcription factor analysis revealed that the expression of the MYB3 transcription factor (Ghir_D07G002110) was higher in brown cotton, and bioinformatics analysis revealed that this gene has regulatory effects on the CHS, CHI1, and F3H genes.

Interspecific Hybridization between Gossypium hirsutum (American Cotton) and Gossypium barbadense (Egyptian Cotton) for Quality Improvement

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a globally important cash crop, valued for its fiber and economic contributions to the textile industry. This study investigated the variability, heritability, and genetic advance of yield-related traits in interspecific hybrids of American (G. hirsutum) and Egyptian (G. barbadense) cotton. Using a randomized complete block design, 28 hybrids were evaluated for traits such as seed cotton yield, plant height, bolls per plant, and boll weight. Significant genetic variability was observed among hybrids, with high heritability estimates for seed cotton yield (96.84%), plant height (93.51%), and bolls per plant (76.44%), coupled with moderate genetic advance, suggesting additive gene action. Regression analysis revealed that the number of bolls emasculated and pollinated significantly influenced total seed production, with coefficients of determination (R²) of 0.5924 and 0.5102, respectively. The hybrid JA-08/A × JA-12/203 demonstrated superior crossability (100%) and seed production, making it a promising candidate for breeding programs. These findings emphasize the potential for exploiting genetic variability and hybrid vigor to develop high-yielding and high-quality cotton varieties.

Analysis of variability, heritability and trait association in four F2 populations of Gossypium hirsutum L.

Abstract Cotton is a prime crop of industrial importance. The assessment of variability provides scope for planning the breeding programmes. This study was conducted at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore in F2 generation for the crosses viz., CO 17 x KC 2, TVH 002 x KC 3, TVH002 x RAHC 1039 and TCH 1894 x NDLH 32 to estimate the variability, trait heritability and correlation among traits. In this experiment, high PCV paired with high GCV was noted for number of monopodia per plant as well as boll weight in all the four crosses. High heritability along with high genetic advance as per cent of mean were noted among all the crosses for seed index, boll weight, plant height and lint index. The plant yield of a single plant in all the crosses was noted to be significant and positively correlated with lint index, number of bolls per plant, internode length, boll weight and plant height. Keywords: Correlation, F2 population, Heritability, Variance

Evaluating the Performance of High Density Planting System of Cotton in Alfisols of Vikarabad District in Telangana, India

A demonstrations were conducted in farmers field during the Kharif 2023 and 2024 in the Vikarabad district of Telangana to evaluate the performance of High-Density Planting System (HDPS) against traditional farmer's practices in cotton cultivation under ICAR-CICR special project on cotton by DAATT Centre Vikarabad. The results indicated that the HDPS treatment (T1) recorded a lower average plant height (101.35 cm) and a reduced average number of bolls per plant (23.5) when compared to the farmer's practice, which achieved an average plant height of 126.3 cm and an average of 36.5 bolls per plant. Despite of this, the HDPS system recorded 24.51 q/ha over farmers practice 18.03 q/ha, which is 36% higher than the farmer's practice. Economic analysis revealed that the HDPS system generated substantially higher net profits of ₹77,999 with a benefit-cost (B:C) ratio of 1.79, compared to ₹43,489.50 and a B:C ratio of 1.49 under the farmer's practice. This system of HDPS cotton ensures a viable and profitable alternative to traditional cotton farming practices, offering a pathway to enhanced productivity and sustainability for cotton growers in the region.

Assessing agronomic and physiological traits during reproductive developmental stages for breeding upland drought‐tolerant cotton

AbstractIncreasing crop production in a changing climate is one of the challenges facing the agricultural research community. The goal of this study was to identify and evaluate specific determinant traits for improving water stress resiliency of cultivated upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Two genotypes (PhytoGen 72 [PHY72] and Stoneville 474 [STV474]) representing different production regions of the US were evaluated for water stress resiliency under greenhouse conditions. More than 20 vegetative and reproductive traits were evaluated through six physiological reproductive stages, from plant emergence to open bolls and under two irrigation levels. Significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) were observed between irrigation levels for most traits within each genotype. PHY72 had rapid increases in plant height under regular water and limited water conditions (RW and LW). RW approximated daily evapotranspiration rates, while LW rate provided 50% less water by mass. However, by the fourth stage, peak blooming, the two genotypes were the same height, indicating that early and rapid vegetative plant growth from emergence to first reproductive stage was not a good indicator of improved growth and boll production under diverse irrigation levels. Some traits, such as leaf temperature, chlorophyll fluorescence yield, leaf and boll number, as well as leaf and reproductive fresh weight, showed clear differences between the two genotypes in one or both irrigation rates. Cotton breeders/geneticists currently cannot predict end‐of‐season productivity based on early‐season evaluations under water stress conditions. Early season, controlled environment screening before field testing may reveal the genetic potential of breeding lines for water stress resiliency.

Polygenic Genetic Analysis of Principal Genes for Yield Traits in Land Cotton

Objective: Yield traits are crucial for cotton breeding. Analyzing the yield traits of terrestrial cotton and exploring their genetic mechanisms through a primary gene + multigene hybrid genetic model provide a theoretical basis for selecting high-quality cotton varieties and identifying associated molecular markers. Methods: Completing the construction of the six populations (P1, P2, F1, F2, B1, B2) using Xinluzhong 37 as the female parent and Xinluzhong 51 as the male parent. Six yield traits were assessed: single boll weight, boll number per plant, lint yield per plant, seed cotton per plant, lint percentage, and seed index. Data were tested for normal distribution, and the inheritance patterns of yield traits were analyzed through combined primary gene + polygenic analysis. Results: The coefficients of variation for the six yield traits ranged from 37.368% to 53.905%, 33.335% to 58.524%, 34.132% to 57.686%, 8.721% to 12.808%, 1.842% to 6.283%, and 8.783% to 12.580%, respectively. These traits displayed either normal or skewed normal distributions. The optimal genetic model for single boll weight and seed index was PG-ADI, while MX2-ADI-AD best fit the traits of boll number per plant and lint percentage. For lint yield per plant and seed cotton per plant, the 2MG-ADI model was optimal. The polygenic heritability for single boll weight was 29.58%; for boll number per plant, main gene heritability was 25.19%, with 0% heritability for polygenes; for lint yield per plant, the heritability of the main gene was 23.47%. For seed cotton per plant, the heritability of main genes was 15.38%, with lint percentage showing 63.25% heritability for main genes and 0.08% for polygenes, and seed index with 45.93% heritability due to polygenes. Overall, single boll weight and seed index were predominantly polygenic, while boll number per plant and lint percentage were largely controlled by main gene inheritance. The inheritance of lint yield per plant and seed cotton per plant was also primarily governed by main genes.

IMPACT OF DIFFERENT SOWING DATE ON ADVANCED COTTON (Gossypium hirsutum L.) VARIETIES

The purpose of this study was to find out the effect of different sowing dates on advanced cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes. Three different cotton varieties (Sind-1, Th-120, and Star-2) and three sowing dates (May 9, May 16, and May 23) constituted the treatment groups. Current study indicators include plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of bolls per plant, ginning percentage, and seed cotton yield kg/ha. The following is a summary of the parameter-wise results. The current study found that the variety Star-2 recorded a maximum plant height of 130.56 cm, while the variety Th-120 recorded a plant height of 122.67 cm. On May 23rd, we recorded a maximum plant height of 136.78 cm, while on May 16th, we recorded a plant height of 132.22 cm. The findings revealed that plant 1 recorded the highest number of sympodial branches at 25.33, with a peak of 29.22 branches per plant on the 23Th-120, while May recorded 25.33 at 23.78, starting from a minimum of Star-2, followed by variety Th-120 at 23.78, and a minimum of 20.00 sympodial branches in variety Sindh-1. However, the 23rd of May recorded a maximum of 29.22 branches per plant. The results revealed that variety Star-2 recorded the maximum (45.11) number of opened bolls per plant, followed by variety Th-120 (41.83). However, the 23rd May sowing date recorded the maximum (45.89) number of bolls per plant, while the 16th May sowing date recorded the lowest (42.22). The 9th May sowing date recorded the minimum of 37.44 bolls per plant. Variety Star-2 recorded the maximum at 38.00, followed by variety Th-2120 at 33.56. However, the crop yielded a maximum of 37.78 GOT% when planted under the 23rd May sowing date. However, the highest seed cotton production was 3429.6 kg ha-1 from variety Star-2, followed by 3066.7 kg ha-1 from variety Th-120. Variety Sindh-1 produced the lowest seed cotton yield: 2577.8 kg ha1. However, variety Sindh-1 produced the highest seed cotton yield (3511.1) on May 23rd and the lowest yield (3133.3 kg ha-1) on May 16th. The 9th of May sowing date yielded the lowest seed cotton yield of 2429.6 kg ha-1. According to the experiment's findings, the yield of seed cotton varied among types, with variety Star-2 and 23rd May planting dates yielding higher yields than other varieties under other sowing dates.

Influence of Population Biomass Accumulation During Different Growth Periods on Agronomic Traits and Cotton Yield

Increased output per unit area is the main goal of cotton producers worldwide, and the determination of biomass for high-yield cotton production is most important index. Cotton plants were grown at five densities (2.25, 3.0, 3.75, 4.5, and 5.25 × 104 plants ha−1). The relationships between the lint yield, construction of vegetative and reproductive organs and the population biomass were investigated. The results indicated that the maximum lint yield could be obtained at an appropriate population biomass before peak flowering and that the maximum lint yield increased with the biomass after peak flowering. When a lint yield above 1875.0 kg ha−1 was achieved, the biomass was at 657.0, 2317.3 and 5398.0 kg ha−1 for peak squaring, early flowering and peak flowering, respectively, whereas it surpassed 11,977.4 kg ha−1 and 15,365.8 kg ha−1 for the biomass at peak boll-setting and during the boll open period, respectively. This study indicated that moderate biomass accumulation before peak flowering and higher population biomass accumulation after peak flowering could achieve high lint yield because of the construction of optimum plant height, maximum and suitable LAI, maximum fruiting branches and boll weight before peak flowering, the highest effective fruiting node number and the population boll number after peak flowering. The results suggest that agronomic measurements could be implemented according to population biomass dynamics of high yield during the main growth stages.

Assessment of genetic diversity among upland cotton for earliness, fiber quality and yield-related traits using correlation, principal component and cluster analysis

A field experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Farm, Gazipur in Kharif season 2017 with 100 genotypes to evaluate their genetic diversity. The results of the study showed a significant positive link between the number of bolls and seed cotton output, as well as between maturity and boll split. Cluster analysis, Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and correlation were used to categorize the major characters that account for the variation in yield contributing traits. Data were recorded at maturity, bolls plant-1, seed cotton yield, ginning outturn, fiber length and fiber strength. The first four PCs with Eigen value >1 contributed 65.15% variability among the cotton accessions. The genotypes were grouped into ten clusters through multivariate analysis. Cluster III contained a maximum number of genotypes (29) while clusters I (15), II (9), IV (23) and V (13) contained genotypes, cluster VII (4), VI, VIII and X contained genotypes (2) and cluster IX contained only 1 genotype. In all cases, the inter-cluster distances were greater than those of intra-cluster distances, which indicate a wider genetic diversity among the genotypes. Cluster I and IX had the largest inter-cluster distance (35.13), while cluster VI and VIII had the smallest (1.68)-. The results revealed a diverse and close relationship among the genotypes of those clusters. The single boll weight and days to boll split showed a higher contribution to the genetic divergence among 14 characters. Based on genetic diversity results and early-maturity, VII (BC-0451, BC-0456, BC-0491 and BC-0495), VIII (SR-16), IX (BC-0479) and X (BC-0493 and BC-0459) genotypes could be used to develop the short-term cotton variety as following the standard procedure.

Unveiling the potential role of gibberellic acid, melatonin and indole acetic acid on parthenocarpy, physiological traits and phytochemical responses in Hibiscus sabdariffa L

The economic part of the Hibiscus sabdariffa L. (Malvaceae) plant is the sepal. One of the main challenges in harvesting this product is separating its seeds, which are surrounded by sepals. If the parthenocarpy process occurs without seeds, the labor costs are reduced and the profits from the production of this plant are increased. In current study, the effect of gibberellic acid (GA3), melatonin (M), and indole acetic acid (IAA) on the induction of parthenocarpy in H. sabdariffa plants was investigated. The study was conducted as a factorial experiment in the form of randomized complete block design with three replications. Different concentrations of GA3 (0 (control), 700, 800, and 900 ppm), M (0 (control), 100, 200, and 400 ppm), and IAA (0 (control), 1000, 1200, and 1400 ppm) were foliar sprayed after the emergence of the flower bud on the 50th, 60th, and 70th days of planting, and the control plants were also sprayed with distilled water. Various measurements were taken including the number of seeds per boll, parthenocarpy percentage, capsule volume, number of bolls per plant, number of mature seeds, and phytochemical parameters such as anthocyanin, chlorophyll and carotenoid content, antioxidant value, total phenol and flavonoid content, and soluble solids. The application of GA3 at 800 and 900 ppm along with IAA at 1000 ppm and M at 100 and 200 ppm led to the production of parthenocarpy fruits and showed the best results in the induction of parthenocarpy. The control group indicated the highest number of mature seeds per boll. The highest amount of phenol and flavonoid contents were obtained in plants treated with GA3 at 800 ppm. For anthocyanin, the control group showed the highest value (1.63 mg g−1), and in the case of the antioxidant trait, plants exposed to 100 ppm M showed the highest IC50 (40.68%). Hence, the application of plant growth regulators with appropriate concentrations can be effective in inducing parthenocarpy in H. sabdariffa plants. Additionally, parthenocarpy-induced by GA3, IAA, and M had different impacts on fruit quality and quantity, suggesting that the effect depends on the type of employed hormones used and their concentrations.

Adaptability of hybrid populations of Linum usitatissimum L. in conditions of the Northern Transural region

Relevance. The selection of genotypes with high adaptive properties for the conditions of the Tyumen region allows us to contribute to the development of a regional strategy for breeding and genetic work, selection and cultivation of varieties in connection with changing weather and climatic conditions.Material and methodology. The research was carried out over a three-year period (2020-2022) in the northern forest-steppe zone of the Tyumen region. Intervarietal hybridization (4x4 scheme), evaluation of the obtained material according to morphological (4 pcs.), biological (1 pc.), adaptive indicators (2 pcs.) was carried out using generally accepted methods. The objects of study were 12 combinations of fiber flax, first obtained in the region.Results. Significant differences (p<0.05*) were determined between hybrid populations of fiber flax in the influence of genotype, environment, and genotype-environment interaction on the degree of implementation of the studied traits. Correlation relationships have been identified that determine the fiber content in the stem (r=0.79-0.91*, growing season, plant height, inflorescence length, softness, camber), the number and weight of seeds per plant (r=0.79-0 ,91*, inflorescence length, number, size and crackability of the capsule). Based on the results of individual selection in the third hybrid generation (F3), early ripening (4 pieces), tall (n=4), with the maximum number of bolls (n=4) and the number of seeds in them (n=7), fiber content (n =4) in the stem of the combination.Conclusions. Hybrid combinations of fiber flax with high levels of stable properties (G1, G3, G9, G10, G11), productivity criteria (G1, G2, G4, G7, G8, G9, G11, G12) can be valuable in breeding work.

Determination of the effect of magnesium applications on yield, fiber quality and chlorophyll content in cotton

Objective: The objective of this investigation was to determine the effects of different applications of magnesium (Mg) on yield, yield attributes, fiber quality traits, chlorophyll content, and normalized difference vegetative index in cotton. Material and Methods: In this study 7 different Mg applications were applied, and MAY 455 cotton cultivar and Magnesium Sulphate were used. Results: It was determined that seed cotton yield, number of nodes of first fruiting branches, number of vegetative branches, number of bolls, height/node ratio, boll weight, fiber strength, uniformity, elongation, and spinning consistency index were affected by magnesium applications. The highest value in terms of the number of bolls, number of vegetative branches and height/node ratio was observed with 200 cc/da Mg application at the squaring stage, while the highest seed cotton yield was recorded with 200 cc/da Mg at flowering stage and Mg application lead to increase 60 kg/da in seed cotton yield. The highest spinning consistency index and uniformity was obtained with 600 cc/da Mg application at the squaring stage, other quality traits were affected by different doses or application stages. Conclusion: Applying green parts during the squaring or flowering period may be advantageous since magnesium has a positive impact on the yield and certain fiber quality of cotton.

Reducing initial cotton yield penalties in a transition to conservation agriculture through legume cover crop cultivation – evidence from Northern Benin

Much effort has been spent on promoting conservation agriculture (CA) in Northern Benin to sustain the transition of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cropping systems toward agroecology. However, its limited adoption by farmers is often ascribed to initial yield penalties during the transition to CA and to trade-offs around crop biomass use. Here, we assess the effect of different CA-based cropping systems promoted in the region on water productivity and cotton yield in a three-year cotton/maize (Zea mays L.) crop rotation during the initial transition phase to CA. Three CA options were assessed combining different levels of soil disturbance and cover, and introducing cover crops to alleviate the biomass trade-offs. Direct seeding (DS), strip tillage (ST), and direct seeding mulched-based cropping systems (DMC) were compared with conventional tillage (CT) from 2017 to 2019 under a dominant soil type in the region, Haplic Lixisols. Two legume species, Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw. and Crotalaria retusa L. were grown as cover crops with maize under ST and DMC. The experiment followed a randomized block design comprising six replicates. After 2–3 years of DMC, the cotton yield advantage with respect to CT increased from 5 % to 7 %. Cotton yield penalties of respectively 11 % in 2018 and 26 % in 2019 were found for DS. ST treatment went from a yield advantage of 8 % in 2017 to a yield penalty of 20 % in 2019. The DMC and CT treatments gave similar and highest boll weights compared to the ST and DS treatments. The treatments had no significant difference regarding the number of bolls per plant. Soil water storage in the upper 30 cm depth and water use efficiency (WUE) were the highest in the plots with the DMC treatment compared to CT, ST, and DS. At 28 days of active vegetative stage (between 34 and 62 days after sowing), the WUE of seed cotton was 0.11 kg ha−1 mm−1 under DMC, while it was 0.08, 0.07, and 0.04 kg ha−1 mm−1 under DS, CT, and ST, respectively. The performance of DMC at increasing water productivity could be an argument to improve adoptability by farmers in northern Benin who are facing increased weather variability, given that the yield penalties often associated with early transitions to CA were not observed here with full DMC.

Evaluating the impact of biogenic nanoparticles and pesticide application in controlling cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

BackgroundCotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD) is one of the major concerns for cotton growers. The traditional approach to managing CLCuD involves the control of the vector (whitefly) population through the use of pesticides. This study compares the efficacy of zinc oxide, iron oxide, copper and silver nanoparticles with conventional pesticides. Nanoparticles dose was optimized by evaluating their phytotoxic threshold in our previous study. In this study, optimized doses of nanoparticles such as zinc oxide (100 ppm), iron oxide (50 ppm), copper (50 ppm) and silver nanoparticles (25 ppm) were applied in a field trial of cotton against cotton leaf curl virus disease (CLCuD). Morphological parameters (height of stem, monopodial branches, sympodial branches, staple length, boll weight and number of bolls), yield parameters (seed cotton yield and ginning outturn), chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids and total chlorophyll), biochemical parameters (superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and electrolyte leakage) and disease parameters (reduction infection, disease severity and disease incidence) were determined in this study.ResultsThe incidence of cotton leaf curl virus was confirmed by triple antibody sandwich–enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TAS-ELISA). The pesticide Imidacloprid significantly reduced the infection by 79.3%. However, in comparison to pesticide, application of nanoparticles also reduced the infection. ZnO NPs reduced the infection by 42.33%, FeO NPs by 41%, Cu NPs by 34.7%, and Ag NPs by 44.8%. Moreover, these nanoparticles also improved the plant growth parameters as compared to control treatment. ZnO NPs enhanced morphological, yield parameters, and chlorophyll content by 36%, 22%, and 29%, respectively. FeO NPs showed improvements by 38%, 21%, and 29%; Cu NPs 39%, 25%, and 29%; and Ag NPs 31%, 19%, and 18%, respectively.ConclusionAlthough treatment pesticide showed the least disease incidence compared to nanoparticles, nanoparticles are eco-friendly and safe as compared to pesticides. Farmers can apply these nanoparticles at their optimal thresholds through foliar application as an alternative to traditional pesticides. It is concluded that nanocomposites and hybrid modes may be used for managing CLCuD efficiently in the future.Graphical abstract

INTERRELATION OF YIELD AND ITS COMPONENTS IN COTTON (Gossypium hirsutum L.) GENOTYPES

Cotton is regarded as a profitable crop that gives people fiber and shelter. Research focuses on how yield, its components, and related attributes work together to enhance cotton. During the Kharif season of 2022, the present study was completed, implementing a randomized complete block design with ten genotypes and three replications. The study took place at the Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), located in Tandojam. This work aimed to examine the correlation and regression between upland cotton genotypes and heritability estimates for traits associated with yield. The outcomes showed that all of the parameters in the mean square of the ANOVA were significant. In contrast to the remaining genotypes, genotype FH-142 displayed the most favorable performance; it had the tallest plants, more sympodial branches, more bolls per plant, an improved seed index, and the longest staple length. The genotype CRIS-342 came in second, exhibiting good plant height, sympodial branches, a good number of bolls per plant, a ginning outturn, and the highest boll weight among the other genotypes. The findings of the correlation and regression indicated that the number of bolls per plant-1 had a highly significant and positive relationship with monopodial branches plant-1 (r = 0.73*) and (b = 2.45) and that the number of bolls per plant had a strong relationship with seed cotton yield plant-1 (r = 0.83**) and (b = 3.29). Staple length and seed cotton yield plant-1 had a negative correlation (-0.77*) with regression (b = -4.58). The highest heritability estimates in the broad sense are for monopodial branch plants (84.61), ginning outturn% (97.03), bolls plant-1 (93.96), plant height (90.70), staple length (79.31), and seed index (71.42). However, the boll's weight showed a low heritability (23.71). Further breeding programs can utilize genotype FH-142 to increase the number of sympodial branches, increase the number of boll plants, and improve the staple length. Genotype CRIS-342 can be utilized for medium-stature plant height, boll weight, and better ginning outturn. However, genotype NIA-BT-40 can be utilized for short-strategy plants with the highest ginning output.

Effect of zeolite on growth, yield, and active substances of genotypes of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) and its Half–Diallel Crosses

Two field experiments were conducted on the private farms of a farmer in the village of Al-Jilawiyah in Al-Musayyab district (40 km north of the center of Babylon province) for the years 2021 and 2023 for the purpose of studying some genetic features of four genotypes of Roselle and their Half – Diallel Crosses. They gave the following results:The eggplant cultivar excelled in all the studied traits (plant height, chlorophyll content of leaves, number of branches in the plant, number of bolls in the plant, total yield of sepal leaves and anthospanin content), giving averages of (184.86 cm, 42.83 spad, 48.30 leaves.plant -1, 153.50 bolls.Plant -1, 1208.16 kg ha -1, 0.338%) respectively. As for the hybrids, the hybrid (1*2) excelled on the other hybrids by giving it the highest average for the studied traits (plant height, chlorophyll content of the leaves, number of branches, number of bolls in the plant, anthocyanin content, giving the averages (191.98 cm, 43.04 spad, 50 branches. plant -1, 157.22 bolls.plant -1, 0.345%), respectively. As for the hybrid strength, the hybrid (1*2) excelled giving it the highest hybrid strength at level Z 10, amounting to 19.97%, while the hybrid (2*4) gave it the lowest hybrid strength at level Z10, amounting to - 0.30%. As for the gene action, it gave the trait of chlorophyll content the highest percentage of heritability in the broad sense, amounting to 99.48%, at the level Z 10, while it gave the lowest percentage of heritability in the broad sense, amounting to 75.65%, for the trait of plant height, at the level Z 10. As for the heritability rate in the narrow sense, it reached its highest average of 60.06% for the trait number of branches at level Z 20. While it gave the lowest percentage of heritability in the narrow sense of 4.16% at the Z10 level. The average degree of dominance was 4.44% for the trait of plant height, while the lowest value for the average degree of heritability was 1.27 for the trait of the number of bolls. plant-1.

Gene pyramiding improved cell membrane stability under heat stress in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Climate change has been drastically affecting cotton not only in Pakistan but also all over the world. Normally cotton is known as heat tolerant when compared with other crops, but if the high temperature occurs during flowering period the yield decreases significantly. Marker assisted gene pyramiding provides a sustainable solution to improve heat tolerance. A total of seven genotypes were developed by a series of crossing seven tolerant genotypes over the period of three years. Tolerant genotypes were selected by screening for important transcription factors (GHSP26, HSP3, HSFA2, DREB1A, HSP101, DREB2A, GhNAC2, HSPCB, GhWRKY41, TPS, GbMYB5, ANNAT8, GhMPK17, GhMKK1, GhMKK3, GhMPK2, HSC70, APX1 and GhPP2A1). The seven genotypes were evaluated under normal and heat stress in a multi-year trial. The traits related to heat tolerance, such as cell membrane stability, relative water content, excised leaf water loss, plant height, number of nodes, internodal length, number of buds, number of bolls and leaf area was observed under normal and heat stress conditions. The developed genotypes showed improvement in cell membrane stability and relative water content under heat stress. The genotypes [(VH-305×MNH-886)×MNH-1035)×NIAB-78)], [(MNH-1035×MNH-886)×MNH-886)×SM-431] and [(MNH-1035×MNH-886)×MNH-886)×SS-32] depicted heat tolerance and could be used as heat tolerant material for variety development in breeding programs.

Hydraulic, morphological, and anatomical changes over the development of cotton bolls and pedicels leading to boll opening under well-watered and water deficit conditions

The growth, development, and opening of cotton bolls largely determine the yield and quality of cotton plants. However, the hydraulic, morphological and anatomical changes of cotton bolls over this course are unclear. This study investigated the hydraulic properties, xylem structure and function of the cotton boll and the pedicel, and the boll transpiration over the developmental course of bolls under well-watered and water deficit conditions based on hydraulic measurements, dye tracing, boll water uptake, and microscopy. Results revealed that xylem structure and function of the boll and the pedicel were well maintained and bolls had a high transpiration rate during boll dehydration period under both conditions. Water deficit significantly reduced boll number, had no significant effect on the final dry matter content of bolls, and had limited effects on boll transpiration and hydraulic properties of the boll and the pedicel. This study indicates that vascular transport between the parent plant and the boll and boll transpiration were well coupled to ensure dry matter accumulation in the boll and promote boll dehydration.

Assessment of land configuration techniques on in-situ soil moisture conservation and productivity of rainfed Bt. Cotton in semi-arid production systems

Rainfed agriculture is proving to be a significant contributor to cotton production. However, recent climate change characterizes a substantial threat to current rainfed agricultural production, and consequently to farmers’ livelihoods in semi-arid regions. Typical features of these areas are erratic rainfall to frequent dry spells that lead to frequent crop failure and lasting poverty. In-situ soil moisture conservation is an important climate resilience agricultural practice to enhance the productivity of crops in these regions including rainfed Bt cotton. It comprises agronomical land configuration techniques with several local modifications. The experiments were conducted in a field at Okkarai village (11o 22’ N latitude and 78o 53’ E longitudes), Thuraiyur Block, Tiruchirapallai District in the Northwestern Agro-climatic Zone of Tamil Nadu. It was undertaken during the Rabi season (North-East monsoon) of 2022 and 2023. The experiments were laid out in randomized block design (RBD) with 7 treatments with three replications. The treatments consist of different land configuration techniques viz., flat-bed, ridges and furrows, broad bed and furrows (BBF), raised bed, tied ridges, tied ridges (alternate rows) and tied broad beds (TBB). An analysis of pooled mean data of two years showed significant differences between the treatments. Among the land configuration techniques tested, tied ridges (alternate rows) registered the maximum soil moisture content during flowering and boll formation (90 DAS), boll development (120 DAS) and boll and fibre maturation (140 DAS) stages, and the increase was 34.4%, 31.8% and 15.74%, respectively over flat-bed method. Likewise, tied ridges (alternate rows) significantly enhanced the cotton growth characters viz., plant height (128.92 cm), leaf area index (4.52), dry matter production (5.19 t/ha), and yield attributes viz., number of squares (44.50/plant), number of bolls (43.73/plant), boll weight (4.76 g) and seed cotton yield (20.86 q/ha) and cost-benefit ratio (3.07). Tied ridges in alternative row served as low-cost micro catchment approach for trapping and holding water and its practice in semi-arid rainfed region has beneficial effects of reducing runoff and soil loss, increasing soil moisture and augment crop yield.