Seed Cotton Yield Plant Research Articles

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.

Heterosis and combining ability for phenological yield and fiber traits of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes

The seeds of 4 lines, 3 testers, and their 12 F1 hybrids were sown in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 3 replications at Botanical Garden, Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam during Kharif 2019. F1 hybrids were raised for the estimation of heterotic effects, GCA and SCA for days to 1st squaring, days to 1st boll formation Bolls opened at 90 days after sowing, Sympodial branches plant-1, Bolls plant-1, Boll weight (g), Seed cotton yield plant-1 (g), 100-seed weight (g), Ginning outturn (%) and staple length (mm). Genotypes, parents, crosses, parent's v/s crosses, lines, testers and line × testers were significant for days to 1st squaring and days to 1st boll forming. Bolls unveiled their fissures precisely 90 days post-sowing, while parameters including sympodial branches per plant, bolls per plant, individual boll weight, seed cotton yield per plant, 100-seed weight, ginning outturn, and staple length underwent meticulous evaluation. The statistical scrutiny unveiled the insignificance of both lines and testers concerning the 90-day boll dehiscence. Similarly, the parental influence on boll weight, 100-seed weight, and staple length exhibited a lack of statistical significance. Line CRIS-134, Sindh, and tester FH-901 gave a higher mean performance for all the traits. Among the hybrids, Mehran × FH-901, Sindh-1 × CIM-602, CRIS-134 × CIM-602, CRIS-342 × Koonj, and CRIS-342 × CIM-602 gave a desirable mean performance and heterotic effect for all the traits. CRIS-342 × Koonj produced maximum SCA effects for bolls per plant. Mehran × FH-901 recorded higher SCA effects for seed cotton yield plant-1 and 100-seed weight, CRIS-342 × CIM-602 for lint percentage, and CRIS-342 × FH-901 for staple length. It is suggested that these lines and testers should be utilized in the breeding program to improve these traits.

Assessment of genetic variability in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes

The selection of high-yielding cotton lines is critical for the evaluation of phenotypic characteristics. For Cotton Breeders, it is always in preference to select desirable genotypes, based on the diversified characters from the available germplasm. The selected phenotypic diversity can be useful for aiding information in parental selection, adherence to this, a set of 12 advanced cotton lines were evaluated for genetic diversity at Cotton Research Institute, Tandojam during Kharif season in the year of 2020. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications while seven agronomical traits, were included in the experiment. The mean square of genotypes, was differed significantly (P<0.05) for all studied traits, representing that genetic diversity exists in these cotton germplasms and can be used in further utilization. Considering the agronomic performance, the genotype of B-2 was on the top in average values including plant height (174.40 cm), bolls plant-1 (42.067), seed cotton yield plant-1(139.34 g), GOT% (37.800%), and staple length (28.00 mm), hence indicating its valuable breeding resources for future cotton breeding. A Genetic Distance of 92.683 was found between B5 and B2 genotypes, which is high enough, and revealing that this pair may be used in a hybridization program for vigorous hybrid production and better selection in subsequent generations. The Variance Percentages for the first, second, and third principal components were 42.70, 23.10, and 17.20, respectively. The first three components contributed 83.00 percent of the variation for genotypes, which is high enough for the cotton crop improvements. The cotton genotypes, were divided into three categories, based on phenotypic data. The number of groups obtained, might be beneficial in generating cotton genotypes with a variety of characteristics and diversifying the Cotton Gene Pool. Keywords: cotton, genetic variations, morphological traits, seed yield.

Hybrid vigor and its deterioration in intraspecific populations of upland cotton

Seven lines (‘VH-292’, ‘VH-259’, ‘Bt-802’, ‘Sadori’, ‘Shahbaz’, ‘CRIS-342’, and ‘Bt.ZZ.NL-370’), and three testers (‘VH-291’, ‘FH-113’, and ‘IR-3701’) of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were crossed through line-by-tester mating to produce 21 F1 hybrids. The lines, testers, and their F1 and F2 populations were grown in a randomized complete block design with three replications at Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Pakistan, in consecutive cropping seasons. Analysis of variance revealed that the genotypes (including parental lines, testers, and their 21 F1 and F2 populations) and parent vs. hybrids differed significantly for all the studied traits, except for plant height in the F2 population and sympodial branches plant−1 in the F1 and F2 populations. Lines ‘VH-292’ and ‘VH-259’ and testers ‘VH-291’ and ‘FH-113’ exhibited higher plant height, sympodial branches, bolls plant−1, and boll weight than other genotypes and were identified as suitable parental genotypes for hybridization. The F1 and F2 populations of ‘VH-292’ × ‘VH-291’ and ‘VH-292’ × ‘FH-113’ produced more sympodial branches, bolls plant−1, and seed cotton yield plant−1 than other crosses. The F1 hybrid of ‘Bt-802’ × ‘VH-291’ and the F2 population of the ‘Sadori’ × ‘VH-291’ cross produced higher boll weight than other genotypes. Overall, the mean performance of the F1 hybrids for all the traits was better than that of their parents and the F2 populations likely due to heterotic effects in the F1 populations and inbreeding depression in the F2 populations. The significant mean squares for parental genotypes, crosses, and parents vs. crosses indicated that the data obtained in this work are valuable for determining parental performance, hybrid evaluation, heterotic effects, and inbreeding depression. Significant mean squares due to parents vs. crosses revealed the good scope of heterotic effects in the F1 populations for all the traits.

Estimation of Combining Ability Influence on F1 Generation for Various Quantitative and Qualitative Traits in BT and Non-BT Cotton Gossypium hirsutum L.

General and specific combining ability is one of the important plant breeding tools used for best selection of F1 group based on the growth and yield contributing factors. This experiment was carried out during 2014 under agro-ecological condition of Tandojam, Sindh Pakistan. In this study three lines of Bt-008, IR-1525 and neelam-131 as female parents and three testers such as NIA Sadori, NIA Ufaq and NIA Perkh as male parents were investigated based on randomized complete block design which were replicated thrice. In F1 generation, the mean squares for combining ability for target characteristics displayed highly significant GCA effects in lines for all traits except lint index. But in case of testers, the GCA effects were significant for sympodial branches plant-1, seed index and seedcotton yield plant-1 and highly significant only for monopodial branches plant-1, GOT%, staple length. While, mean squares values for the interaction of line x tester revealed highly significant SCA effects for plant height, monopodial branches plant-1, boll weight and GOT%. The two parents Neelam-131 and NIA Ufaq manifested higher general combining ability effects and were good general combiners for yield and yield components and can make a potential material for varietal seed development. For yield contributing characters, crosses IR-1525 x NIA Ufaq and IR-1525 x Perkh showed significant SCA effects among the rest of crosses. Consequently, it is advised that those crosses to be selected having high SCA with better GCA for refining a specific trait.

Effects of Salinity Stress on Some Growth, Physiological, and Biochemical Parameters in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Germplasm

ABSTRACT The production of cotton is negatively affected by salinity. For this purpose, 8 parents and their 16 F1 hybrids were evaluated under saline stress (15 dSm−1) in Line × Tester fashion. Mean values of plant height, number of bolls plant−1, boll weight, lint weight, seed cotton yield plant−1, seed index, no. of seeds boll−1, seed mass boll−1, lint mass boll−1, seed volume per 100 seeds, fiber strength, fiber length, lint%, K+, K+/Na+ ratio, CAT, TSP, chlorophyll a, b, and relative water contents decreased under salt stress whilst the values of lint index, seed density, fiber fineness, Na+, H2O2, SOD, POD carotenoids, malondialdehyde, phenolic contents, ascorbic acid, and flavonoids increased under saline conditions. Under saline MS-71× CRS-2007, MS-71× KAHKASHAN, and IUB-65 × FH-312 exhibited performed better than other genotypes for most traits. For fiber quality traits IUB-65× CRS-2007 and IUB-65× FH-312 showed the highest value under salt stress. Improved identified cotton genotypes can enhance our capacity to grow cotton in salt-affected soils and the key morpho-biochemical traits can potentially be exploited to obtain higher and more stable crops yield under stressed environments.

Response of some Egyptian cotton cultivars growth, yield and fiber quality to different sources of nitrogen fertilizers and foliar zinc application

Two field experiments were carried out in Agricultural Research and Experimental Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (2019 and 2020) to study the response of Egyptian cotton cultivars (Giza 92, Giza 94 and Giza 95) growth, yield and fiber properties to foliar zinc (Zn) rates (0, 100 and 200 ppm) and nitrogen (N) fertilizers sources; urea (U), ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium sulfate (AS). Cultivars, N sources and foliar Zn led to a significant effect on plant height, number of sympodial branches plant-1, total and open bolls plant-1, boll weight, seed index, seed cotton yield plant-1, seed cotton yield fed-1, fiber strength, and fineness. While, cultivars had a significant effect on the position of the 1st sympodial node, lint%, fiber length and uniformity index. Giza 95 was a superior in above parameter except seed index and fiber quality. While, Giza 92 was a superior in fiber quality. Significant of two and three interactions between studied factors existed on most of studied traits. Whereas, the highest values were obtained from plots treated with AS with foliar Zn at 200 ppm in most cases. Significant relationships were found between total boll and percentage of open boll plant-1; R2 = 0.76 (Giza 92), 0.89 (Giza 94) and 0.91 (Giza 95). Also, seed cotton yield fed.-1 with open bolls plant-1, boll weight and lint% (R2 = 0.862, 0.632 and 0.619, respectively). In such experimental soil conditions ammonium sulfate and foliar Zn at 200 ppm could be recommended to improve the cotton properties.

Genetic Variation Studies of Ionic and within Boll Yield Components in Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.) Under Salt Stress

ABSTRACT Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) productivity is decreasing alarmingly by salinity. For genetic analysis of cotton response to salinity 8 parental genotypes and their 16 F1 crosses were evaluated in Line × Tester fashion under normal and salt stress 15 dSm−1. Data were recorded for plant height, number of bolls plant−1, boll weight, lint weight, seed cotton yield plant−1, lint percentage, seed index, lint index, number of seeds boll−1, seed mass boll−1, lint mass boll−1, lint mass per seed, seed volume 100−1 seeds, seed surface area, ionic ratio, fiber strength, fiber length, fiber fineness, GOT %, SOD, POD, CAT, TSP, and H2O2. The results showed that SCA estimates were higher than the GCA indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene action. Kahkashan, MS-71, and CRS-2007 were found good general combiner whereas FH-114 × FH-312 was found the best specific combiner. FH-114 × KAHKASHAN and FH-114 × FH-312 demonstrated significant heterosis for most traits under normal and salt stress conditions. The present study revealed that salt tolerance ability is controlled by a few dominant genes in the identified genotypes.

Heterosis studies for yield and fibre quality traits in American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

In the present study forty five intra-hirsutum hybrids along with their parents and standard check were evaluated to estimate the magnitude of heterosis for yield and fibre quality traits at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur during Kharif, 2017-18. The standard heterosis was calculated over check hybrid, LAHH 5. The hybrid combinations, SCS-1207 × GSHV-177, GSHV-177 × L1231 and SCS-1207 × PBH-13 were found to be promising for seed cotton yield plant-1 along with majority of yield components and fibre quality traits in terms of standard heterosis. These genotypes may be evaluated over locations for further confirmation of their superiority for exploiting them commercially.

Correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield component traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

This experiment was carried out with 40 genotypes of cotton in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Lam, Guntur during kharif, 2019-20. Each plot consisted of one row of 6 m length and observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants from each genotype per replication for characters viz., plant height (cm), number of monopodia plant per plant, number of sympodia plan per plant, number of bolls plant per plant, boll weight (g), seed index (g), lint index (g) and seed cotton yield plant per plant (g). The characters viz., Days to 50% flowering, ginning out turn (%), 2.5% span length (mm), micronaire (10-6 g /inch), bundle strength (g/tex) and uniformity ratio were recorded on plot basis. Correlation and path coefficient analysis were worked out for 14 characters among 40 genotypes of upland cotton. Correlation studies revealed that plant height, number of sympodia per plant, number of bolls per plant and boll weight recorded significant positive association with seed cotton yield per plant. Further partitioning of correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects showed that characters, plant height, number of bolls plant per plant, boll weight, ginning out turn (GOT) and micronaire value had direct positive effect on seed cotton yield per plant. Thus, correlation and path analysis clearly indicated that direct selection based on number of bolls per plant, boll weight and seed index may be helpful in developing high yielding varieties in upland cotton.

Genetic diversity for cell membrane thermostability, yield and quality attributes in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

An experiment was performed to detect the genetic diversity and heat tolerance in sixty cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes at Cotton Research Station D. I. Khan during the crop Season 2016–2017 in randomized complete block design in which three replications were used. These genotypes were evaluated for various morphological [plant height (cm), monopodial branches plant−1 and sympodial branches plant−1, bolls plant−1, boll weight (g) and seed cotton yield (g plant−1)], physiological [relative cell injury percentage (RCI%) and chlorophyll content] and fiber quality traits [ginning out turn (%), fiber strength (g tex−1), micronaire value (µg inch−1), fiber length (mm) and uniformity index (%)]. Genetic analysis revealed that genotypes were containing marked phenotypic variabilities. High values of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance were found for monopodial branches plant−1, boll weight, seed cotton yield plant−1, RCI%, chlorophyll contents and micronaire value. Variable trends of RCI% among the genotypes showed different levels of cell membrane thermostability. The results of RCI% indicated that Neelam-131 (32.34%), Sitara-008 (36.26%), Sitara-009 (39.89%) and Thakkar-80 (40.22%) had lower RCI% which depicted their higher cell membrane thermostability. These four genotypes were also superior in seed cotton yield having 124.12 g, 112.78 g, 102.63 g and 98.25 g plant−1 respectively. Three principle components were depicted having Eigen value > 1 and cumulative variation of 70.4% in which the contribution of individual PCs was; PC1 (48.3%), PC2 (11.3%) and PC3 (10.9%). Score plot revealed that Auriga-216, VH-Gulzar, Thakkar-80, Neelam-131, Sitara-008, BH-184, CRIS-600IR-NIBGE-7, VH-327 and FH-Noor were the most divergent genotypes and hence can be effectively utilized in the future breeding program.

New Potential Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Varieties for Farmers in Rain-Fed Agro-Ecologies of North Western Ethiopia

Seed cotton yield and fiber quality traits are controlled by many genes and also greatly affected by biotic and abiotic environmental factors. Hence, selection based on only yield would not be effective. In order to improve the yield potential of the cotton cultivars, an understanding of the relationship among various traits is of more importance. The current research was aimed to determine and record phenotypic and genotypic variation of elite cotton lines for utilization of the information in the breeding program to enhance cotton crop productivity and production in Ethiopia. Thus, 14 genotypes, five rows each, were evaluated in three replications at Homosha district of Benishangul-Gumz. The results depicted significant differences (P ≤0.05) among the varieties for all the studied traits, exhibiting the availability of substantial genetic variability among the cultivars for studied traits. Hence, these promising cultivars can further be exploited in various breeding programs to improve various characters of the cotton genotypes. Furthermore, correlation analysis showed that sympodial branches plant-1, boll weight and bolls plant-1 made significant and positive associations with seed cotton yield plant-1. Thus, selection for these traits will ultimately enhance the chances of increasing seed cotton yield plant-1. High heritability estimates were found for all studied traits with the exception of monopodial branches plant-1, indicating that these traits were inherited together and direct selection may be proved to be useful for these traits

DOUBLE CROSSES ANALYSIS OF SOME ECONOMIC CHARACTERS IN EGYPTIAN COTTON

The genetic materials used in the present study included six Egyptian cotton varieties Giza 85 (P1), Ashmouni (P2), Giza 75 (P3), Giza 80 (P4), Giza 86 (P5) and Giza 90(P6) and their corresponding 45 double crosses.These genotypes were evaluated in a field trial experiment at Sids Agricultural Research Station, Beni-suef Governorate through 2017 growing season for the following traits: boll weight (BW), bolls/plant (B/P),seed cotton yield/plant (SCY/P), lint yield/plant (LY/P), lint percentage (LP), fiber fineness (FF), fiber strength (FS), upper half mean (UHM) and uniformity ratio(UR). Results showed that the mean squares of genotypes were highly significant for all studied traits, the partition of crosses mean square to its components showed that the mean square due to 1-line general, 2-line specific, 2-line arrangement, 3-line arrangement and 4-line arrangement were either significant or highly significant for all studied characters.This result suggesting the presence of the additive and non-additive genetic variance in the inheritance of these traits .Concerning the two-line interaction effect, (S212),(S213),(S214),(S224) and (S245) showed positive (desirable) effects for most yield components and fiber quality traits. Also, the three-line interaction effect cleared that the combinations (S3124),(S3125),(S3126),(S3134),(S3136) ,(S3145) and ,(S3245) were the best combinations for most studied characters. Furthermore, the four-line interaction effect revealed thatthe best double cross combination for SCY/P, LY/P, UHM and UR was (S41245). Moreover,(S41236), (S41246), (S42345), (S42346) and (S43456) were the best double combinations for B/P, LP, FF, FS and BW, respectively. The parent Giza 85 (P1) was the best general combiner among this group of varieties for all yield and its components under study except BW and recorded desirable effects for all studied fiber quality traits.Also, Giza 86 variety (P5) was the best combiner for BW ,while Ashmouni variety (P2) was the best combiner for FF and Giza 90 variety (P6) was the best for FS. The specific combining ability effects t2(ij)(..) showed that the combinations t2(13)(..), t2(14)(..), t2(26)(..),t2(36)(..),t2(45)(..),t2(46)(..)and t2(56)(..) were the best combinations for SCY/P,LY/P and UHM , B/P,FS,FF,LP,BW,UR traits, respectively. Generally, from preivous results, it could be concluded that the combinations : [(P1 x P3) x (P2 x P4)], [(P1 x P3) x (P5 x P6)] and [(P2 x P4) x (P5 x P6)] appeared to be the best promising double crosses for breeding toward improvment most studied yield and fiber quality traits . Dominance genetic variance magnitudes (s2D) were positive and larger than those of additive genetic variance (s2A) for all studied traits except for BW and FS.Regarding epistatic variances, additive by dominance genetic variance (s2AD) showed negative and considerable magnitude for all studied traits except for BW. Moreover, additive by additive genetic variance (s2AA) showed negative and considerable magnitude for all studied traits except for BW,LP and FS traits. While, dominance by dominance genetic variance (s2DD) and additive by additive by additive genetic variance (s2AAA) showed positive and considerable magnitude for all studied traits with the exception of BW. It could be concluded that fiber properties and yield components were mainly controlled by epistatic variances; dominance by dominance (s2DD) and additive by additive by additive (s2AAA). This finding may explain the superiority of most studied double crosses than their parents in most of yield components traits. Therefore, it could be recommended that production of double crosses to involve in the selection breeding programs is the desirable way for improvement these traits. Heritability in narrow sense (h2ns %) ranged from 36.4% for LY/P to 84.2% for BW.

Genetic Diversity Analysis through Phenotypic Assessment in Bt-Cotton Germplasm

The present research was carried-out to analysis the genetic diversity in a set of 26 Bt-cotton genotypes for seed cotton yield and its associated traits. Results showed that genotypes differed significantly P ≤0.01 for all the traits, registering the significant genetic variability among the genotypes for further evaluation. With regards to mean performance, varieties BH-180 and KZ-389 displayed better performance in terms of plant height, bolls plant-1, seed cotton yield plant-1, monopodial branches plant-1 and sympodial branches length, suggesting that these genotypes can further be exploited for various breeding programs to improve upland cotton genotypes. In cluster analysis, all genotypes divided into nine small clusters, cluster one consisted of five genotypes which were characterized as high yielding genotypes suggesting that genotypes of this cluster could be utilized for future breeding programs in order to get better yielding varieties. In total, first three principal components accounted 75.90% variability, which is considered very high and could be utilized for further breeding programs in cotton. The obtained results may provide a helpful guide for selecting specific genotypes with distinct genetic backgrounds in cotton breeding programs.

Genetic Analysis of Seed Cotton Yield and its Attributes under Early and Late Plantings

THIS RESEARCH was conducted to study the effects of late planting on the performance of Egyptian cotton sensitivity to environment, and gene actions that controlling seed cotton yield/plant (SCY/P) and related traits. Half diallel crosses of eight Egyptian cotton varieties were evaluated under early and late plantings. The analysis of variance indicated significant (p ≤ 0.01) differences among entries (parents and crosses) for most traits. The reduction percentin seed SCY/P caused by the stress of late planting was 17.98 and 18.25 percent for the parents and hybrids; respectively. Stress susceptibility index indicated that five parents were tolerant for SCY/P to late planting. Fifteen out of the 28 hybrids showed tolerance in SCY/P to late planting. The diallel analysis of variance indicated that both additive and dominance effects of genes were involved in the inheritance of all traits. Generally, the regression coefficient “b Wr/Vr” and the graphical analysis revealed that the inheritance of seed cotton yield/plant controlled by additive, dominance and epistatic effects of genes. The results of boll weight under the stress of late planting suggested the presence of additive, dominance and epistatic genes interaction. The genetic analysis of number of seeds/boll under late planting indicated no significance of the additive effects of genes “a item”, however, the dominance item “b” was significant (p≤ 0.01). The non-additive effects of genes were reflected in the departure of narrow from broad sense heritability. Therefore, pedigree and recurrent selection breeding methods could be effective in isolating lines adapted to late planting.

Evaluation of genetic divergence, character associations and path analysis in upland cotton genotypes

The present experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications in order to estimate the genetic divergence, correlation and path analysis in ten upland cotton genotypes. The mean squares revealed highly significant differences (P<0.05) for all the investigated traits among the tested genotypes, proving that used genetic resources showed a great potential for further breeding experiments. On the basis of mean performance, the variety NB-111 displayed desirable performance for variety of traits, unveiling its importance in cotton breeding programs. The results also exhibited that plant height, bolls plant-1, boll weight and seed index developed positive and significant (P<0.05) associations with seed cotton yield plant-1. Pertaining to path analysis, maximum positive direct effects to seed cotton yield palnt-1 was contributed by bolls plant-1, followed by boll weight, GOT% and seed index. This demonstrates that genotypes possessing higher extent of these traits may be chosen in selection for developing high yielding cotton genotypes. Considering genetic distance, diverse parents with broad genetic distance were also identified, signifying their importance for upcoming hybridization programs in cotton crop. Keywords: Genetic distance; Correlation; Path analysis; Upland cotton; Seed cotton yield http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.600163

"Plant Density; Plant Growth Retardants: Its Direct and Residual Effects On Cotton Yield and Fiber Properties"

AbstractFoliar sprays of (PGR’s) Cycocel and Alar were applied at concentrations of 250, 500, and 750 ppm after 105 days after plantation (square and boll setting stage) to Egyptian cotton cultivar planted at three plant densities (166.000, 222.000, and 333.000 plant ha−1). Number of opened bolls plant−1, seed-cotton yield plant−1, and earliness increased as plant density decreased in both years, as did seed-cotton and lint yield ha−1 in the second season. In the first year, the intermediate plant density gave highest yields. Plant density had no significant effect on lint percentage or fiber properties. Both Cycocel and Alar increased the number of opened bolls plant−1, boll weight, seed and lint indices, seed-cotton yield plant−1 and both seed-cotton and lint yield ha−1, but effects were not always significant and response varied for different traits. Neither Cycocel nor Alar affected lint percentage, yield earliness or fiber properties at any plant density.

Genetic studies in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for earliness and yield contributing traits

The current experiment was conducted to evaluate the genetics for earliness and yield traits in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) during Kharif season 2013 at Cotton Section, Agriculture Research Institute, Tandojam. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The experiment consisted of fifteen genotypes in which ten F1 were developed from five parents crossed in a 5 x 5 diallel matting design for days to 1st flower, bolls formed at 90 days after planting, bolls opened at 90 days after planting, plant height (cm), sympodial branches plant-1, bolls plant-1, boll weight (g) and seed cotton yield plant-1 (g). The genotypes were significantly different (P≤0.05) for days to 1st flower, bolls formed at 90 days after planting, bolls opened at 90 days after planting, plant height, sympodial branches plant-1, bolls plant-1 and seed cotton yield plant-1. Among the genotypes, Sindh-1, CRIS-134 and Shahbaz were best general combiners for days to 1st flower, bolls formed at 90 days after planting, bolls opened at 90 days after planting, plant height, sympodial branches plant-1, bolls plant-1, boll weight and seed cotton yield plant-1. The F1 hybrids Sadori x Sindh-1, Shabaz x Haridost, Sadori x CIM-496 were best specific combiners for all the characters studied. The F1 hybrids Shahbaz x Sindh-1, Sadori x Sindh-1, Sadori x Haridost and Sadori x CIM-496 gave higher heterotic effects for all the studied traits. Keywords: Earliness; Diallel; Seed cotton yield; Upland cotton; Earliness traits http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.60008

Characterization of Elite Upland Cotton Genotypes for Earliness and Yield Traits

Short duration cotton genotypes increased the chances to harvest crop before cold and rainy weather conditions. However, earliness in cotton is a difficult character, which is assessed by determining many plant traits. The current experimental was conducted at Cotton Section, A.R.I. Tando Jam, during kharif season 2013. The eight cotton genotypes including CRIS-342, Sindh-I, Haridost, Malmal, Bt-121, Bt-3701, TS-501 and Shahbaz were sown i n randomized complete block design with four replications. In a total, seven quantitative traits were measured such as days to first flowering, node number to set first sympodial branch, node number to set first flowering, sympodial branch length (cm), sympodial branches plant-1, number of bolls plant-1, seed cotton yield plant-1(g). The mean squares from analysis of variances showed that genotypes differed significant (P 0.01) for all the studied traits, demonstrating a vast genetic variability in tested genotypes. The genotypes, Sindh-1, CRIS-342, Bt-121 and Bt-3701 were characterized as early maturing or short duration cotton varieties. However, the correlation between yield and earliness traits were best criteria for developing the short duration cotton yield varieties.

Effect of Different Levels of Zinc on the Growth and Yield of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L) Crop

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different levels of zinc on the yield and growth of cotton in the field of Agronomy section ARI, Tandojam during the Kharif Season 2014. Seeds of cotton were sown in rows 75 x 30 cm in row and plant spacing in soil with four replications in Randomized Complete Block Design. Six zinc levels i.e. untreated 0.0, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0, 12.5 and 15.0 kg ha-1 were evaluated. The results reveals that plant height, number of sympodia plant-1, number of productive bolls plant-1, fibre length, G.O.T (%) and seed cotton yield kg ha-1 affected significantly by the zinc levels, while plant population and number of monopodial branches were not affected. Application of zinc from 5.00 to 15.00 showed similar effect. However, control resulted different in taller plants (130.55 in), while application of 15.00 kg zn ha-1 produced maximum sympodia (16.35 plant-1) however productive bolls were more at 10.00 kg zn ha-1 (50.30 plant-1). The staple length was maximum (27.00 mm) at 7.5 kg zn ha-1, while G.O.T% was greater (38.28%) at 5.00 kg zn ha-1, whereas maximum seed cotton yield was recorded at 7.5 kg zn ha-1 (2556.70 kg ha-1). For the trait of seed cotton yield plant1, there was no any difference between applications of zinc sulphates 5.00 to 7.5kg ha1.