4. Genotype × environment interaction studies in F5 populations of upland cotton under agro-climatic condition of Peshawar

Abstract

Genotype (G) × Environment (E) interaction and correlation studies were carried out in F₅ populations along with parental genotypes at two different sowing dates i.e. normal (mid-May) and late (mid-June) in upland cotton during crop season 2013-14 at The University of Agriculture, Peshawar, Pakistan. The experimental material comprised 37 genotypes including 29 F_4:5 populations and eight parental genotypes. The experiment was conducted in a RCB Design having three replications. ANOVA presented highly significant differences for genotypes and sowing dates for almost all the traits except seed index, where the mean differences were non-significant for sowing dates. G × E interaction effects were highly significant for sympodia plant^-1, bolls sympodia^-1, bolls plant^-1 and seeds locule^-1.  Seed cotton yield plant^-1 revealed significant positive association with most of the traits. Overall, in genotypes and G × E interactions, F₅ population CIM-506 × CIM-554 S₂ exhibited highest seed cotton yield plant^-1(85.05g), bolls sympodia^-1 (2.27), bolls plant^-1 (18.63) and seed index (9.53 g). The F₅ population CIM-554 × CIM-707 S₁ revealed maximum seeds boll^-1 (33.21), seeds locule^-1 (7.54), boll weight (4.76 g) and seed cotton yield plant^-1 (83.24g). The F₅ population CIM-554 × CIM-473 S₂ produced maximum seeds boll^-1(31.95), seeds locule^-1 (7.42). Parental cultivar CIM-496 showed maximum sympodia plant^-1 (16.10), bolls sympodia^-1 (1.17) and bolls plant^-1 (18.89)^. F₅ population CIM-506 × CIM-554 S₂ was found more responsive to both environments followed by F₅ populations CIM-554 × CIM-707 S_1, CIM-554 × CIM-473 S₂ and parental genotype CIM-496 which could be used in future breeding programme for improvement in seed cotton.

Keywords: Cotton; Environment; Genotype; Seed-cotton

 http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700116