Evaluation of seed cotton yield and fiber properties portrayal of some candidate cotton varieties in national coordinated varietal trials in the Punjab province during seasons 2017 and 2018

Abstract

Thirty six candidate cotton varieties developed by different breeders of Pakistan were tested consecutively for two years (2017 and 2018) and at six locations of Province of Punjab in national coordinated varietal trials (NCVT).  The trials were conducted to explore seed cotton yield potential and fiber properties against two check varieties (CIM-602 and FH-142/IUB-13).  As per claim of the breeders, the samples of all varieties for both the years were sent to four designated biotechnological laboratories for conducting biochemical tests also. The results revealed highly significant differences among the varieties for both the years. During the year 2017, on an average of six location, top ten high yielding varieties recorded were MNH-1026, BH-221, BS-18, CEMB-100, MNH-1020, FH-444, CEMB-101, ICI-2121, Bahar-07 and IUB-69 which yielded 3202, 3058, 3051, 2948, 2923, 2888, 2880, 2870, 2783 and 2753 kg/ha seed cotton yield respectively. When the results of 2018 trial were looked at, averagely top ten high yielding varieties were BS-18, ICI-2121, MNH-1026, RH-Afnan, CIM-343, CIM-663, NIAB-898, FH-490, MNH-1020 and NS-191 with 2893, 2749, 2748, 2745, 2614, 2608, 2607, 2604, 2594, and 2512 kg/ha of seed cotton yield respectively. However, on an average of both the years (2017 and 2018), top ten high yielding varieties were MNH-1026, BS-18, ICI-2121, BH-221, MNH-1020, CIM-343, CIM-663, FH-490, FH-444 and NIAB-898 producing 2975, 2972, 2810, 2761, 2759, 2681, 2671, 2670, 2652 and 2629 kg/ha of seed cotton respectively. As regards fiber properties, almost half (18 candidate varieties) could qualify all fiber standards set by Punjab Seed Council including 12 varieties which were given relaxation of 1mm in staple length by the Expert Sub Committee of the Punjab Seed Corporation. The biochemical test results received from all four laboratories revealed that on an average of four laboratories and two years, the trait purity range recorded was from 42 to 96 percent, whereas, quantification of Bt toxin ranged from 0.81 to 2.62. From the present study, it was concluded that almost 15-20 candidate varieties have the potential to be included among already approved varieties for commercial cultivation in the province of the Punjab