Comparative study of yield attributing characters under six cotton genotypes (Gossypium Spp.)

Introduction

The most significant natural fiber source that has supplied clothes to humans for thousands of years is cotton, or Gossypium Spp. This plant has a significant impact on the social structure and economy of many nations; in fact, it has influenced the course of several regions' histories. Despite the availability of numerous alternative natural and synthetic fibers, the expanding global population, the cost-benefit ratio of cotton lint, and its numerous distinctive properties will guarantee a sustained rise in the market for seed cotton. One of the world's most significant cash crops in terms of both economics and society, cotton is used as a raw material by the textile industry. Cotton, also known as the "white gold" or "king of fibers," is a significant crop that produces fiber. More than 80 countries worldwide have tropical and subtropical climates where this is grown. The United States, China, India, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Argentina, Australia, Greece, Brazil, and Turkey are the main producers of cotton. Four countries account for 70% of the world's total cotton production: China (27%), India (22%), the United States (13%), and Pakistan (8%). (Anonymous, 2013). 77 countries cultivate commercial cotton, while 123 countries engage in activities related to cotton. Association analysis between seed cotton yield and its component characters is crucial to identify trait combinations on which selection can be made in breeding programs because seed cotton yield is a complex trait that is influenced by a variety of environmental factors, making selection based solely on yield potentially unsatisfactory (Baloch et al. 2014) [2] . The goal of the current study is to characterize various American cotton genotypes that have been developed at various Indian cotton breeding centers in order to identify genotypes that perform better and estimate the genetic variability found in the genotypes under study that contribute to yield and related characteristics. When it comes to deciding the quantity and quality of the cotton output, the developmental stage known as the filling period in cotton (Gossypium spp.) is crucial. The length of time that the fibers and seeds actively collect mass is known as the real effective filling period, and the filling rate indicates how quickly this accumulation occurs. Knowing how these two variables relate to one another in respect to various cotton genotypes can help with breeding decisions and growing condition optimization.

Materials and Methods

The meteorological data during the experimental period were obtained from the meteorological observatory Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri. The different material used, and methods followed during these studies are presented in detailed as under.

Experimental Site

Yield Observations Seed Cotton Yield per Plant

Cotton was picked from the plants in the net plot area and weighed. The yield obtained from five tagged plants was also added to this. The yield per hectare was worked out based on net plot yield from all pickings.

The seed cotton obtained from net plot area in different pickings was mixed thoroughly (treatment wise) and 100 grams of sample was drawn from all the replications. This seed cotton was ginned separately treatment wise with a hand. Ginning per cent was calculated by using the formula given by Santhanam (1976).

Weight of lint (g) Ginning (%) =

x 100 Weight of seed cotton (g)

Lint index

Lint index is the absolute weight of lint obtained per seed lint index and was calculated following the procedure given by Santhanam (1976).

Weight of 100 seeds Lint index (g) =

x Ginning (%) 100-Ginning (%)

Statistical Analysis

The data obtained from field experiment (Kharif 2020 and 2021) for screening were analysed by using Randomized Completely Randomized Design (RBD) and data were pooled to test the significance of differences of genotypes for all the characters as per the methodology suggested by Panse and Sukhatme (1989). The population dynamics data obtained during studies in the above experiment were analysed for variance by adopting 2 √ n + 1 transformation.

Results and Discussion

Yield characters of cotton genotypes

The data observed in cotton genotypes carrying various yield characters are given below with details mostly in harvesting stage of cotton plant. Similarly, Phule Shwetambari demonstrated strong yield performance, with a pooled yield of 34.32 g/plant and 1007 kg/ha. However, the slight decrease in yield from 2019 to 2020 may point to some environmental sensitivity. Despite this decline, its overall performance remains commendable, making it a strong candidate for cultivation in areas with favorable growing conditions. Phule Yamuna and Phule Rukhmai showed relatively stable yields across both seasons, with pooled yields of 935.38 kg/ha and 938 kg/ha, respectively. While these varieties did not achieve the highest yields, their stability and consistent performance suggest that they may be well-suited for regions where consistent but moderate yield is preferred. The slight improvement in seed cotton yield per plant for Phule Yamuna from 31.25 g to 35.12 g suggests that it may respond well to favorable environmental conditions or improved management practices. Phule Dhanwantary and Phule Mahi had the lowest seed cotton yields per plant and per hectare. However, it is notable that both varieties showed an upward trend in yield from 2019 to 2020, particularly in seed cotton yield per hectare. Phule Dhanwantary increased from 889.25 kg/ha to 932.75 kg/ha, while Phule Mahi rose from 958.50 kg/ha to 991.25 kg/ha. This trend suggests that, with further improvements in agronomic practices or genetic enhancement, these varieties may have the potential to increase their productivity. The data show slight variations in yield between the two seasons, which could be attributed to environmental factors such as rainfall, temperature, and soil conditions. For instance, most varieties saw a slight improvement in seed cotton yield from 2019 to 2020, indicating that the growing conditions in 2020 were more favorable for cotton production.

Seed Cotton Yield per plant Year-wise Performance

Discussion & Key Findings

The table presents data on two important yield characters of cotton genotypes during the Kharif seasons of 2019 and 2020: the lint index and ginning percentage. These factors are essential for determining the fiber quality and processing efficiency of cotton varieties. The lint index reflects the amount of fiber produced per seed, while the ginning percentage (ginning outturn) indicates the proportion of fiber extracted from the seed cotton.

Lint Index -Fiber Production per Seed

The lint index is a crucial indicator of fiber yield, showing the efficiency of each seed in producing usable fiber. Among the cotton genotypes: Ajeet-155 consistently showed the highest lint index across both years, with values of 5.34 in 2019 and 5.40 in 2020, resulting in a pooled lint index of 5.60. This indicates that Ajeet-155 is a superior variety in terms of fiber production per seed, making it a valuable option for maximizing fiber yield. Phule Shwetambari and Phule Rukhmai also demonstrated high lint indices, with pooled values of 5.27 and 5.29, respectively. These values indicate that these varieties are also efficient in producing fiber per seed, though slightly below Ajeet-155. Phule Dhanwantary exhibited moderate performance, with a pooled lint index of 4.91, while Phule Yamuna had the lowest pooled lint index of 4.70. This suggests that these two varieties may produce less fiber per seed compared to others, which could influence their total fiber yield.

Ginning Percentage -Fiber Extraction Efficiency

The ginning percentage is a critical indicator of how much usable fiber can be extracted from the seed cotton, making it important for the economic viability of cotton production.

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