GGE-Biplot analysis of multienvironments yield trials of Egyptian cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.,)

GGE biplot technique is one of the most appropriate methods for investigating the genotype x environment interaction. A total of twenty one Egyptian cotton genotypes were tested to evaluate stability and adaptability during two agricultural years at four environments using randomized complete block design with six replications. The analysis of variance showed that the effect of environments, years, environment x years, genotypes, and genotype x environment was highly significant for lint cotton yield / plot. Also, the interaction effect due to G x Y x E was also significant. The variation of sum of squares was divided for genotypes, years, environments, and GEI to 25.261 %, 0.574 %, 36.660 % and 3.396 % respectively of total variance for lint cotton yield / plot. The analysis of environments revealed that the cotton genotypes showed maximum mean values for lint cotton yield in El-Gharbiya then Kafr El-Sheikh. Comparative performance of genotypes through genotype by environment interaction (GEI) revealed that genotypes produced maximum lint cotton yield during 2019 at El-Gharbiya followed by Kafr El-Sheikh. The results of biplot analysis showed that the first and second principle components accounted 87.96 % and 5.86 %, respectively, and in total of 93.82 % lint cotton yield variance. The polygon view led to the identification of top six genotypes. G6, G7 and G15 were the ideal genotypes which has the highest mean performance coupled with maximum stability. The ideal genotype could be used as a benchmark for selection. While, the desirable genotypes was (G2, G4 and G5) characterized by high mean yield but less ideal genotypes. E2 was the ideal environment across four environments which have the highest ability to discriminate the genotypes. Four environments had long vectors with small angles (acute) are highly correlated and clustered as one mega-environment. The cotton breeder should evaluate the genotypes under new environments to reduce the costs.

Evaluation of different cotton varieties against drought tolerance: A comparative analysis

The limited water supply for irrigation is a major constraint to cotton production. Morphological and physiological traits provide useful information for drought tolerance. This research work was carried out for the identification of cotton genotypes having better drought tolerance. For this purpose, forty (40) genotypes of upland cotton were studied under two moisture regime, i.e. normal and drought environment in field conditions. The experiment was conducted using split plot design under RCBD arrangement. All the genotypes behaved differently under two moisture levels. The interaction of cotton genotypes with two moisture levels were studied for various traits, i.e. plant height, sympodial branches, seed cotton yield, boll weight, number of bolls per plant, excised leaf water loss and relative water content by using Principle Component Analysis (PCA). Results showed that the genotypes VH-144, IUB-212, MNH-886, VH-295, IR-3701, AA-802, NIAB-111, NS-121, FH-113, and FH-142 are either stable or showing positive interaction with drought conditions for most of the traits under studied. These genotypes can be used in further breeding program for developing varieties suitable for cultivation under drought conditions, whereas; IR-3, CIM-443, FH-1000, MNH-147, S-12 interacted undesirably with drought stress

A Line × Tester analysis for some seed cotton yield and fiber quality traits in upland cotton

The objective of the present study was to estimate general combining ability (GCA) of the parents and specific combining ability (SCA) of crosses for the development of high yielding cotton varieties. The study was carried out at the experimental area of Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. A line × tester analysis was made to identify the superior general and specific combiners for seed cotton yield and fiber quality traits in upland cotton. Five lines/females (FH-114, FH-1000, CIM-448, CIM-707, NIAB-111) and three testers/males (TH-41-83, Cocker-307 and Allepo-41) were crossed to develop 15 F1 hybrids. These genotypes were evaluated along with parents in RCBD with three replications. The general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) mean squares for seed cotton yield, lint percentage, fiber fineness, fiber strength and fiber length were significant. The fiber fineness showed greater importance of additive gene effect while seed cotton yield, lint percentage, fiber strength and fiber length exhibited non additive genetic effects. Parents FH-114 and NIAB-111 among lines and COKER-307 from testers were found as good general combiners for most of the traits. Hence, these parents proved worth to be used in hybridization and selection program for extracting desirable plants from segregating population. F1 crosses CIM-707 × COKER-307, CIM-707 × ALLEPO-41 and FH-1000 × COKER-307, by and large, exhibited their superiority for all traits studied and were noted as the best specific combiners. Therefore, these crosses may be preferred to improve several traits simultaneously by selection or may be used for hybrid cotton crop development

The effects of drought stress on physiological properties of cotton (G. Hirsutum L.)

As cotton is a product that is grown by irrigating during the summer and rainfall periods, global warming and the drought stress associated with it affect the cotton cultivation negatively. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different field capacity saturation degrees (FCSD) on some physiological properties of cotton cultivars. The study was carried out in Dicle University Faculty of Agriculture in the experimental area in 2014-2015 with 3 replications according to the split plot design. The experiment was arranged in a split- plots design with three replications. Main plots were different FCSD (100%, 80%, 60%, and 40%) and sub plots were cotton varieties (Stoneville-453, GW-Teks, and Deltaopal). Leaf temperature (◦C), leaf stoma conductivity (mmol m−2 s−1) (leaf photosynthesis yield (µmol m−2 s−1), leaf SPAD value, canopy temperature (◦C) and seed cotton yield (g.per plant-1) properties were investigated in this study. Physiological adverse effects of cotton plant in limited irrigation conditions were determined. Although linear regression was determined between deficit irrigation conditions and leaf temperature, canopy temperature, leaf SPAD value, quadratic regression was detected between leaf stomatal conductivity, leaf photosynthesis yield and seed cotton yield

Assessment of seed cotton yield and fiber properties portrayal of some candidate cotton varieties in national coordinated varietal trials at changing environment of Sindh and Balochistan

Thirty six candidate cotton varieties developed by different breeders of Pakistan were tested consecutively for two years (2017 and 2018) and at seven locations of Sindh and Balochista Provinces in national coordinated varietal trials (NCVT). The trials were conducted to explore seed cotton yield potential and fiber properties against two check varieties (CIM-602 and FH-142/IUB-13). As per claim of the breeders, the samples of all varieties for both the years were sent to four designated biotechnological laboratories for conducting biochemical tests also. The results revealed highly significant differences among the varieties for both the years. During the year 2017, on an average of six location, top ten high yielding varieties recorded were GH-Haadi, Weal-AG-6, VH-189, GH-Mubarak, Weal-AG-5, MNH-1026, Badar-1(DG), FH-444, CIM-343 and TJ-Max(DG) which yielded 3434, 3407, 3342, 3255, 3251, 3248, 3185, 3154, 3134 and 3131 kg/ha seed cotton yield respectively. When the results of 2018 trial were looked at, averagely top ten high yielding varieties were GH-Haadi, ICI-2121, CRIS-613, VH-383, VH-189, NIAB-898, FH-490, Cyto-225, Tahafuz-10(DG) and GS-Ali-7 with 3526, 3356, 3306, 3139, 3101, 3091, 3084, 3074, 3060 and 3026 kg/ha of seed cotton yield respectively. However, on an average of both the years (2017 and 2018), top ten high yielding varieties were GH-Haadi, VH-189, CRIS-613, Weal-AG-6, GH-Mubarak, Badar-1(DG), ICI-2121, Weal-AG-5, FH-940 and MNH-1026 producing 3480, 3221, 3186, 3155, 3113, 3083, 3057, 3054, 3042 and 3042 kg/ha of seed cotton respectively. As regards fiber properties, (04 candidate varieties) could qualified all fiber standards set by government. The biochemical test results received from all four laboratories revealed that on an average of four laboratories and two years, the trait purity range recorded was from 42 to 96 percent, whereas, quantification of Bt toxin ranged from 0.74 to 2.62. From the present study, it was concluded that almost 15-20 candidate varieties have the potential to be included among already approved varieties for commercial cultivation in the province of the Punjab.

Yield and some agronomic parameters of upland cotton as affected by planting dates

A field experiment was conducted at ICI Research Farm, Multan to evaluate the effect of different sowing dates on plant height, number of monopodia, number of sympodia, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield kg/ha of two upland cotton varieties (ICI-2121 and ICI-2424) developed by ICI Pakistan Limited, Multan against a standard check variety IUB-2013 during 2019, and 2020 years. These varieties were planted on 1st April, 15th April, 1st May, 15th May, 1st June, and 15th June, at ICI Cotton Research Station, 19-Kasi Vehari Road, Multan. Results revealed that statistically highly significant differences in planting dates were observed for all the parameters studied except number of monopodial branches and boll weight which depicted non-significant differences. Regarding varieties and interaction between varieties and planting times, similar trend of statistical differences was observed. As regards to planting dates, generally, all the parameters under study showed their maximum performance when crop was planted on 1st May followed by 1st April planting date, whereas, minimum performance of the parameters was recorded when the crop was planted on 15th June followed by 1st June. Regarding varietal performance, on an average, maximum plant height (146cm) was observed in ICI-2121 followed by IUB-2013. Same trend of performance of varieties regarding number of monopodia and sympodia per plant was observed. Regarding average number of bolls per plant in different varieties, it was observed that ICI-2121 produced maximum (32 bolls) followed by ICI-2424 (31 bolls) and IUB-2013 (28 bolls) irrespective of planting dates. The same trend of varietal performance regarding boll weight was recorded. When seed cotton yield (kg/ha) was evaluated, on an average of varieties, ICI-2121 produced maximum seed cotton yield (1228 kg/ha) followed by ICI-2424 and IUB-2013 which produced 1147 and 1046 kg/ha seed cotton yield respectively irrespective of planting dates. It was concluded that under agro-climatic conditions of Multan, 1st May planting date was evaluated as optimum cotton sowing time. Before or after 1st May, this study does not recommend growing cotton in this particular zone. Among cotton varieties, ICI-2121 is recommended for sowing under this planting time being producing higher yields.

Evaluation of high yielding candidate cotton genotypes tested in National Coordinated Varietal Trial at different locations of Sindh and Balochistan

The research was conducted during the two consecutive years 2018 and 2019; twenty eight (28) advance cotton strains were tested in national coordinated varietal trials (NCVT) at seven locations of Sindh and Balochistan. The results revealed highly significant difference among the varieties during both the years. On the basis of two years average performance only two candidate strains GH-Uhad and NIAB-135 showed their stability in yield performance during both the years. Therefore, it is recommended that top two high yielding varieties (GH-Uhad and NIAB-135) with stability in performance must be approved by the provincial seed council of Sindh and Balochistan to revive the cotton production of the provinces as well as national economy and not to waste/garbage this high yielding stuff and also suggested to cotton breeders utilization in hybridization/breeding program to evolve high yield variety.

A comprehensive report of the National Coordinated Varietal Trial (NCVT) of Cotton conducted during 2019-20 in National Cotton Varietal Testing Program

One hundred and two cotton cultivars, developed by the different scientists were grouped in four sets and tested at six locations in Punjab, four locations in Sindh, three locations in Balochistan and one location in KPK to test the adaptability of seed cotton yield. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of Bt toxin of these cultivars were conducted at four designated labs. The results revealed highly significant differences among the cultivars for seed cotton yield per hectare. In Set-A top performance cultivar is Saim-102 (2519kgha-1) followed by the Tahafuz 12 (2350kgha-1), in set-B Rustram-11 (2655kgha-1) and BF-1 (2288kgha-1) perform best as compared to the other cultivars. In Set–C cultivar, NIAB-1011 (2604kgha-1) and GH-Uhad (2531kgha-1) out yield the all other cultivars and in Set-D cultivar, Bt-CIM-775 (2588kgha-1) and Sahara-Klean-5 (2508kgha-1) surpass the yield from other candidate cultivars. Overall top varieties in Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan and National level were Rustam-11 (2484kgha-1), Sahara-Klean-5 (2714kgha-1), Diamon-2 (3742kgha-1), GH-Hamaliya (2594kgha-1), Rustam-11 (2655kgha-1),The average trait purity for BG-I (Cry1Ac) was 25 to 100%, for BG-II (Cry1Ac and Cry2Ab) none of the variety observed positive and for BG-III (Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab and RR) trait purity was 57 to 100%.

An Overview of factors affecting on cotton production

Cotton is well prominent as “white gold” an important cash and precious crop in overall cotton growing development counties. The yield of this crop is depending upon the environment in which it is grown and management practices of the cropping system. It is noted after review of various publications of scientists that several factors are responsible which affecting cotton production, selection of cultivar should be according to environment in which it is grown, soil preparation, seed rate, plant spacing, sowing/planting dates and timely irrigation are the important factors which effect on yield. Whereas, nutrients management and crop protections are the key factors which directly affecting the plant growth and development ultimately directly responsible for decreasing yield. Along with these factors modern technology and farmer’s education play a vital role for producing quality cotton production and management of farms. Therefore, suggested that farmers should apply better management practices and follow proper time management as per practices and apply timely appropriate inputs for crop growth and development and crop protection measures for sustainable cotton production.

Phenotypic response of cotton genotypes for yield and fiber quality traits

Twenty five cotton genotypes were tested with two standard check varieties in National Coordinated Varietal Trial (NCVT). The significant difference was observed among all the genotypes of yield, its contributing traits and fiber quality traits, which indicated sufficient genetic diversity were present in the material. Among the genotypes, ICI-2121, GH-Hadi and NIAB-898 are high yielding cotton genotypes, these are suggested for commercial cultivation at the environmental condition of central zone of Sindh to boost up cotton production and at the same time utilization in hybridization and breeding program to evolve high yielding variety. For the fiber quality traits NIBA-898 and NS-191 are suitable genotypes to meet the criteria of textile sector.