Comprehensive study on influence of maturity duration and position of boll formation on seed quality in Asiatic Cotton (Gossypium arboreum)

Abstract

Abstract Asiatic/Desi cotton (G. arboreum) is in demand in the North zone due to its higher price, tolerance to major sucking insects and better suitability under Cotton-Mustard Cropping system. The production of vigorous seeds in desi cotton is still a major challenge and, the present study was formulated to address this issue. An experiment with nine varieties in RBD was conducted for two years (2020-21 and 2021-22) to ascertain the influence of maturity duration and boll position on seed quality parameters in cotton. The tagged bolls for each genotype were harvested seperately from bottom (up-to 40 cm), middle (41–80 cm) and top position (more than 80 cm of plant height) at 140 days after sowing (DAS), 150 DAS, 160 DAS and 170 DAS respectively, and the seeds obtained after ginning were used for conducting experiments. Genotype, picking time, plant stratum and their interaction influenced the seed physiological parameters significantly. The highest mean germination (%) was observed in the seeds picked at 140 DAS (83.72%) followed by 150 DAS (83.14%) after which a significant decline in germination (%) was noticed. Significantly (P < 0.05) higher Seed vigour index-I (SV-I) & SV-II was noted in the seeds harvested during 140 DAS (2027.77 & 1435.44) to 150 DAS (2158.11 & 1254.21). A gradual decrease in terms of seed vigour parameters after 150 DAS suggested picking of matured bolls during 140 to 150 (DAS) for obtaining seeds with better quality in desi cotton.