Performance of Some Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Genotypes for Agronomical and Within-Boll Yield Characters

Abstract

Evaluating the cultivars performance is an important step in the cotton breeding process. Therefore, we tested the yield, fiber quality and within-boll yield components of genotypes, and associations among observed characters were estimated. Ten cotton genotypes inc., Bomba, Ozbek 100, Ramses, May 455, Bir 949, Fiona, Sahin 2000, Sahra 09, Sasha and Eva, were planted in a randomized complete block design with four replications in 2022. The highest seed cotton yield was recorded in Sasha and Bomba genotypes. Ramses performed the higher ginning out-turn (47,7 %) and favorable fiber fineness (4.62 mic.). Bir 949 (32.65 mm), Ramses (31.49 mm) and Sasha (31.31 mm) for fiber length; Sasha (35.18 g tex-1) and Sahra 09 (34.08 g tex-1) for fiber strength exhibited desirable performances. The highest relative leaf water content (%) as a drought indicator was recorded in Ramses (67.79), Fiona (67.45), Sahin 2000 (65.25) and Bomba (65.11). The number of fibers per seed ranged from 10.8 thousand (Ozbek 100) to 13.0 thousand (Bir 949). It was concluded that it seemed difficult to associate the seed cotton yield, fiber quality and relative leaf water content. Therefore, the genotypes in which all three traits are optimized should be emphasized.