Abstract

To identify the superior genotype, we studied the comparative growth and yield performance of four cotton cultivars namely, CIM-496, BH-162, VH-144 and Bt-121, grown on sandy clay loam soil, having pH 8.4, EC 1.0 dS m^-1, SAR 7.8 (mmolL^-1)1/2 and TSS, 10.0 meL^-1. The site was located at latitude 31.65^oN, longitude 72.36^oE and altitude 157.65 m. The results revealed that plant growth parameters like plant height, number of bolls plant^-1 and seed cotton weight boll-¹, were differed significantly (P < 0.05) among Bt and non-Bt cotton cultivars. Seed cotton yield and fiber quality parameters such as maturity percentage, micronaire value, staple length, fiber strength and virus infection percentage were also significantly (P < 0.05) different among different cultivars. Bt^-121 had maximum value for seed cotton weight boll-1 and maturity percentage and produced 26% higher seed cotton yield than all other cultivars. Furthermore, it also showed 58% less cotton leaf curl virus infection compared to other cultivars. BH-162 produced fiber with maximum length and fineness but it appeared most vulnerable to virus attack. It was concluded that Bt^-121 performed best in most of the studied traits than other cultivars and may be recommended for cultivation in areas having arid to semi-arid climatic conditions.

Key words: Genotypes, cotton, micronaire, ecological conditions, virus infection, yield performance.