Assessment of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) Germplasm under Water Stress Condition

The responses of 80 Gossypium hirsutum L. accessions to normal and limited water supply were examined under glasshouse conditions. The assessments was made on the basis of shoot and root length of 45 days old seedlings at 3(rd) true leaf stage. A sample of 34 elite accessions was initially examined on the basis of absolute shoot and root length. Under water stress, some accessions showed better shoot length, while others produced good root length. However few accessions were found more or less consistent in their response to water stress. The Genotypes DPL-26,149F, B-557, BOU-1724 and BH-124 were identified as tolerant. FH-1000, CIM-446, NF 801-2, H 499-3 and MNH- 129 were susceptible to water stress. The existence of variability in the cotton germplasm suggest that genetic improvement may be made in this species through selection and breeding, provided that the variability is effected by significant genetic components. (C) 2010 Friends Science Publishers