Research Biotica | Volume 8 Issue 2 | Pages: 36-42 | Doi : 10.54083/ResBio/8.2.2026/36-42

Research Article

OPEN ACCESS | Published on : 20-Apr-2026

Multi-Season Evaluation of ELS Bt Cotton Hybrids for Yield, Fibre Quality, Biotic Stresses and Genotype × Environment Interaction

• K. Baghyalakshmi
• ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India

G. Sarathapriya
• ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India

M. Amutha
• ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India

A. Sampathkumar
• ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India

K. Shankarganesh
• ICAR-Central Institute of Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (641 003), India

Abstract

The major objective of extra-long staple (ELS) cotton breeding is development of high yielding H×B (G. hirsutum × G. barbadense) hybrids with stable performance in different environments. A study was conducted where seven H×B ELS cotton hybrids were evaluated with a commercial check for three consecutive years (2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26) to assess their stability in yield and quality traits. Various biometric and quality observations were recorded such as number of sympodia (NS), number of bolls (NB), single boll weight (SBW), seed cotton yield (SCY), ginning outturn (GOT), fibre length (FL), fibre strength (FS) and micronaire (Mic) and a significant variability was noted among the hybrids for all the traits. Among the evaluated hybrids, CH25 × CBL5 recorded the highest seed cotton yield (5,459.22 kg ha^-1), followed by CH4 × CBL6 (4,758.84 kg ha^-1) and MS4A × CBL4 (4,559.76 kg ha^-1). CH6 × CBL7 exhibited superior fibre quality with maximum fibre length (38.6 mm) and fibre strength (42.9 g tex^-1). PCA analysis revealed that PC₁ contributed 89.88% of the total variation. AMMI analysis indicated significant genotype × environment interaction effects and identified CH6 × CBL7 as a stable genotype across environments. Biotic stress screening revealed moderate resistance in most hybrids against sucking pests, whereas MS4A × CBL3 was susceptible. Disease screening identified CH25 × CBL5, CH4 × CBL6 and MS4A × CBL4 as tolerant entries against major diseases. Overall, CH25 × CBL5 and CH4 × CBL6 emerged as promising hybrids combining high seed cotton yield, desirable fibre quality and tolerance to major biotic stresses.

How to Cite

Baghyalakshmi, K., Sarathapriya, G., Amutha, M., et al., 2026. Multi-season evaluation of ELS Bt cotton hybrids for yield, fibre quality, biotic stresses and Genotype × Environment interaction. Research Biotica 8(2), 36-42. DOI: 10.54083/ResBio/8.2.2026/36-42.

Keywords

AMMI analysis, Bt hybrids, ELS cotton, PCA biplot, Stability analysis

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