Assessing genetic potential and development of crosses for breeding cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) against drought
Muhmmad Kashif Shahzad Sarwar1,2, Abdul Ghaffar3, Saghir Ahmad4, Shoaib Ur Rehman1, Ummara Waheed1*
1Institute of Plant Breeding and Biotechnology, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
2Cotton Research Station, Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Pakistan
3Departemnt of Agronomy, MNS University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan
4Cotton Research Institute, Multan, Pakistan
Abstract
Cotton diversity has long been studied using physiological and biochemical traits. This diversity has led to the development of various superior cotton cultivars over the year. At present and in face of climate change, development of high yielding and drought tolerant cotton varieties are necessary to fulfill the demand of ever-growing population of the world. In this study, Gossypium hirsutum L. germplasm (200) was evaluated under two irrigation regimes i.e., well-watered (W1) and limited water (W2) conditions. Various morphological and physiological traits were recorded under both irrigation regimes. A considerable reduction was recorded in W2 conditions in all the recorded traits except for glycine betaine, soluble sugars, and proline contents, highlighting the impact of drought on cotton germplasm. Cotton genotypes that maintained higher yield had positive correlation with biochemical traits. Out of 63 best performing genotype (superior parents based on the recorded data), FH-414, FH-415, FH-416, FH-326, FH-492, FH-Anmol, Gomal-105, Marvi, NIAB-878 and VH-327 were selected for hybridization to make crosses following Line x Tester fashion. F1 hybrids (25 crosses) and 10 parents were again planted under W1 and W2 conditions. Out of 25 crosses, FH-326 × Marvi (CS5) and NIAB-878 × FH-414 (CS16) performed better under water deficit conditions. Quantitative real-time PCR was also performed using GhHH3 and GhIDD. CS5 and CS16 had higher expression of drought tolerance causing GhHH3 and GhIDD genes. The newly developed cotton crosses will pave the way for the development of high yielding drought tolerant cotton varieties in face of climate change.
Keywords: Biochemical attributes, Yield and yield components, GhHH3, GhIDD, Drought
