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

Abstract

Cotton is being grown in fifteen-Iakh hectare in north zone out of which desi cotton (G. arboreum) constitutes around 25 percent area. The desi cottons are having very high yield potential along with resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. The yield potential of some desi cotton varieties is noticed up to 40 qtll ha, which is even higher than G. hirsutum in certain cases. However, inferior fibre properties and poor locule retentivity are the major drawbacks in desi cotton. Due to inferior fibre properties i.e. its coarse nature (micronnair around 7-8), short fibre length (around 16-18 mm) and low strength (16-18 g/tex) the demand of desi fibre in textile industry is very less. Similarly, the seed cotton immediately after opening of boll falls down on the ground and as a result several types of impurities combine with lint, which deteriorate the lint quality.