Evaluation of Genetic Stock of Desi Cotton (Gossypium arboreum)

Abstract

A total of 138 accessions of Gossypium arboreum of diverse origin were evaluated for seven morphological traits
i.e. days to first flower, plant height (cm), number of monopods, number of bolls per plant, boll weight (g), seed
cotton yield per plant (g), and ginning per cent. The genotypes Ac 64 was observed as earliest (64 days to first
flower) along with good number of bolls (118), seed cotton yield (185 g per plant) and ginning out turn (40.8
%). The genotypes FFS-1 had recorded highest seed cotton yield (250 g per plant) whereas, HD 328 had recorded
highest boll weight (2.7 g) among these lines. Based on this study, it is advocated that these lines could be used
in crossing programme for improvement of diploid cotton.