Promising Desi Cotton (G. arboreum L.) Germplasm for Fibre Quality Traits and Locule Retentivity

The current interest in desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) has stimulated research on several aspects of improvement for its fibre properties and locule retentivity. Five hundred and forty geographically and phenotypically diverse lines of G. arboreum L. were screened during 2001–2002 to 2003–2004. A wide range of variability for each parameter was observed. Eight lines PA 255, CISA 196, CISA 290, CISA 334, CISA 338, CISA 342, 6637 and AC 30&8 were completely resistant to shattering. The cultivar CISA 290 also showed higher boll number and good yield potential. Five superior genotypes for 2.5% span length (above 25.6 mm) were CISA 12 (27.5), DLSA 8 (26.8), PA 255 (26.5),1789 (26.4) and AK 580 (25.6); for fibre fineness CISA 12 (5.0), 1789 (4.9) AK 60-2 (4.8), AKH 607 (4.6), AK 580 (4.6) and 6629 (4.5); for fibre strength AC 3370-1 (24.8), KWAN 3 (24.5), CISA 245 (24.1), 6629 (23.2) AND PA 255 (22.7); for ginning outturn AKH 592 (37.3), DLSA 8 (35.5), AK 580 (35.0), 6571 (35.0) and KWAN 3 (34.5); for lint index AK 580 (4.8), AKH 592 (4.3), 6612 (4.2), 6619 (4.1) and 7038 (4.0) and for yield potential AC 1374 (128.8), DLSA 8 (103.4), KWAN 3 (99.9), 7173 WL NLL (98.6) and 6586 (97.5). The genotypes exhibiting >0.9 strength length ratios were CISA 245 (1.05), KWAN 3 (1.02), 6629 (0.92), 6644 (0.91) and CISA 329 (0.90). In addition to superiority for strength-length ratio some genotypes were also noticed superior for other quality traits such as culture 6629 for fineness, strength and GOT; KWAN 3 for GOT and yield and CISA 245 for fibre strength and GOT. These levels can be used further in crop improvement programmes for desired traits.