Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 91 (6): 876–9, June 2021/Article

Assessing production potential and quality parameters of ELS cotton

(Gossypium barbadense) genotypes
K SANKARANARAYANAN1, A H PRAKASH1, A MANIVANNAN1* and M SABESH1

ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, Regional Station, Coimbatore 641 003, India

Received: 19 November 2020; Accepted: 08 January 2021

ABSTRACT
There is a huge demand for ELS cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.) in India for its premium fibre properities,
however, the area and production of ELS is very less.There is a considerable scope for extending the area of ELS
under rainfed condition to increase the production. But the fibre quality got severely affected due to moisture stress
in rainfed condition as the crop has long phase of growing period. Hence the experiment is conducted to ascertain
the relationship between phenological periods with quality parameters to identify sensitive phenological periods for
better crop management and also to assess the production potential of ELS genotypes compared with hirsutum hybrids.
Amongst genotypes, seed cotton yield (kg/ha) was significantly higher with RCH659 BG II (H × H) (2839 kg/ha) The
quality parameters results revealed that suvin non Bt showed the significantly highest fibre length (39.3 mm of 2.5%
span length) and fibre strength (32.0 g/tex). Fibre quality was superior in early formed bottom bolls compared to middle
and top bolls. Quality traits were highly correlated with duration of the crop as duration gets shorter, quality becomes
deteriorated. The duration of the first squaring, 50% flowering, and 50% boll bursting were positively and significantly
correlated with fibre length and strength . The duration of 50% squaring to first flowering was significantly positively
correlated with uniformity ratio.The economic analysis showed that inter specific hybrid MRC 7918 BG II registered
the highest net return (₹  116916/ha) which is better than intra-hirsutum hybrid RCH659 BG II (H× H)( ₹ 99332/ha).

Keywords: ELS cotton, Fibre quality, Phenological parameters, Rainfed

Cotton is grown on 12.5 m.ha with the production of count cotton yarns available. To sustain in the global
360 lakh bales of lint during 2019–20. Despite good harvest, competition, it is essential to make the cotton available to
there is a mismatch in demand and supply of different staple the mills on par with our competitors (Sankaranarayanan
groups of cotton, particularly in Extra Long Staple (ELS) et al. 2020). Therefore, it has become essential for India to
cotton. Gossypium barbadense L. is known for its finest give priority for increasing the ELS cotton production to
fibre properties being cultivated in less than 2% in the retain the market share and also to improve the income of
world. The country is still importing ELS cotton annually the farming community. The major constraint in adopting
from Egypt, Sudan, USA, and other countries. The demand barbadense variety is its long duration (180-210 days); thus
for ELS cotton in India is about 9 lakh bales against the less suitable for rainfed situations because of long gestation
availability of about 4 lakh bales only. The requirement of periods. However, the ELS is grown as a rainfed crop in
this cotton is expected to be about 20 lakh bales by 2030. major areas. The moisture stress in crop growth periods
Currently, 2 lakh ha of ELS cotton is being grown in India. affects the yield and quality parameters. Moderate to severe
The demand for the textile products made out of ELS drought during the growing season which reduces yield and
cotton (32 mm and above) is growing exponentially and fiber quality attributes (Smith et al. 2011 and Wiggins et
the potential for value addition of the products made out of al. 2014). Hence, the experiment was conducted to assess
these cotton varieties is very high. Realizing the importance the production potential of ELS genotypes in comparison
of strengthening the position of the textile industry on this to hirsutum hybrid and find out the relationship between
front, It is very essential to make the fine and superfine phenological periods with quality parameters to identify
sensitive phenological periods for better crop management.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A field trial was conducted under the irrigated condition
Present address: 1ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research, at main farm of ICAR-Central Institute for Cotton Research,
Regional Station, Coimbatore. *Corresponding author e-mail: Regional Station, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India during
manivannan461@gmail.com. the fall season (August to March) of 2018–19. The soil

72
 June 2021] PRODUCTION POTENITAL ASSESSMENT OF ELS COTTON 877

was clay loam in texture, low in available N (154.8 kg/ha),

First boll
ton yield Squaring squaring flowering flowering bursting
medium in available P (14.3 kg/ha) and high in available

96.7

91.0

87.0

87.3

85.7

99.0

5.1

3.1
K (542 kg/ha) with a pH 8.1 and EC 0.5 dS/m. Soil test on
micronutrient showed 0.36, 0.82, 2.1, 2.0, and 0.07 ppm of
DTPA-extractable zinc, copper, manganese, iron, and boron
50%

65.7

61.0

62.3

61.3

66.3

61.3

2.2

1.6
(hot water extract) respectively. The treatments comprised
of genotypes namely Suvin and CCB 29 (G. barbadense,
non-Bt), MRC 7918 BG II, Ankur HB 2210 BG II and RCH
First

58.3

59.7

58.3

60.7

58.7

1.7

2.1
625 BG II (interspecific BG II hybrid (H × B)) and RCH
63

659 BG II (intra hirsutum hybrid, (H × H) ) were evaluated

in randomized block design with three replications. A basal
dose of 45 kg of N, 45 kg of P2O5, and 45 kg of K2O per
50%

45.7

45.3

42.7

47.3

1.8
1.7
48

45
ha was applied to all genotypes and the remaining 45 kg
Growth parameters, seed cotton yield (kg/ha) and duration of phenological phases of genotypes

of N per ha was top-dressed at the time of earthling up.

Pre-emergence application of pendimethalin @1 kg/ha was
First

39.3

39.3

44.3

3.3
1.8
43

42

42

also applied on the plots followed by two hand weedings

to keep the experimental plot weed-free. Growth attributes,
yield parameters, and seed cotton yield were recorded
Seed cot-

(kg/ha)

2013

1958

2684

1282

2839
1142

during the investigation. In each plot, a uniform plant

226

503

stand was maintained and standard agronomic practices

were followed for raising and maintenance of plants. The
observations were recorded on five randomly selected plants
weight

2.72

3.83

3.74

3.43

2.82

5.06
Boll

0.6

0.3
(g)

per genotype per replication for the parameters, viz. plant

height, number of nodes, number of squares, number of
flowers, LAI, sympodia and yield components, the number
LAI

2.2

3.6

2.7

2.7

2.4

0.5

of bursted bolls per plant and average boll weight (g), seed
1

cotton yield per plant (g) as well as yield kg per ha were

also recorded. Leaf area was measured by the disc method
monopo- sympodia
No. of

20.7

23.5

20.8

25.1

18.1

21.5

as suggested by Vivekanandan et al. (1972). Differences

1.3

2.8

by genotypes in growth, yield, and fiber properties were

compared using an ANOVA at the five per cent level for
significance. Fibre quality parameters, viz. 2.5% span length,
No. of

2.5

2.3

3.5

2.7

2.8

2.9

0.4

0.9
dia

micronaire, uniformity ratio and fibre strength were also

analysed. The quality parameters were analysed by using
High Volume Instruments (HVI, Statex- Fibrotex model).
busted
No. of

bolls

26.3

33.8

28.7

42.9

25.6

34.9

Economics was also calculated based on the prevailing

1.9

4.2

market price of inputs and outputs.

flowers
No. of

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

0.9

1.3

1.4

0.6

0.7

0.3

0.6
1

The experimental results on growth parameters revealed

that the significantly higher plant height (167.7 cm), number
squares
No. of

of nodes (31.4/plant), and number of monopodia (3.5/

15.5

23.9

22.5

19.9

20.1
7.5

3.8

8.5

plant) were recorded with HB 2110 BG II. The genotype,

Table 1

MRC 7918 BG II had registered significantly the highest

number of sympodia (25.1/plant), and the number of busted
No. of
Nodes

25.6

28.2

31.4

29.4

22.7

26.9

1.5

3.3

bolls (42.9) . The results on yield attributes, significantly

highest boll weight (5.1 g) was recorded with RCH 659
BG II (control) because of fact that the genetic background
height

131.7

159.6

167.7

164.4

129.8
117.2
Plant

(cm)

17.6

(intra hirsutum hybrid) of the genotypes (Table 1). The pure

7.9

barbadense and inter specific hybrids are known for lesser

boll weight genetically. Dhamayanathi et al. (2010) reported
G3. MRC 7918 BG II

G5. RCH 659 BG II

G3. RCH 625 BG II

G4. CCB 29 non Bt

G2. HB 2110 BG II

comparatively lesser boll weight in Pima cotton genotypes.

G1. Suvin non Bt

Amongst genotypes, seed cotton yield (kg/ha) was

significantly higher with RCH 659 BG II (H × H) (2839 kg/
CD(5%)
Treatment

ha), which had outperformed over MRC 7918 BG II (2684

(control)

kg/ha), suvin non Bt (1142 kg/ha), RCH 625 BG II (2013

SEd

kg/ha), Ankur HB 2210 BG II (1958 kg/ha) and CCB 29

73
878 SANKARANARAYANAN ET AL. [Indian Journal of Agricultural Sciences 91 (6)

non Bt (1282 kg/ha) (Table 1). The reduction of seed cotton

116919
yield at the rate of 59.8, 29.1, 31.0, 5.5, and 54.8% were

34091

73304

69729

49183

99332

28020

30694
return
(`/ha)
Net
calculated as compared to RCH 659 BG II with suvin non
Bt, RCH 625 BG II, Ankur 2210 BG II, MRC 7918 BG II
and CCB 29 non Bt. Hybrid with the genetic background of

141608

161040

156640

214720

158720

184535

23812

29412
return
(`/ha)
Gross
hirsutum had high genetic potential than barbadense species.
The growth characters of RCH 659 BG II were observed
moderate level growth characters because of higher boll

cultivation
weight (5.1 g), thus helped to produce significantly higher

107517

109537
cost of

87736

97801

85203
86911

11101
(`/ha)
Total

9885
seed cotton yield and edge over others. The major yield
contributing factors are genotype, environment, and cultural
practices. when the environment and cultural practices are

Available
K2O (kg/
similar; then the genetic potential of genotype determines

510.7

480.2

504.7

517.3

12.4

27.6
501

475
ha)
the yield potential (Bradow and Davidonis 2000). These

Quality parameters, nutrient uptake, available nutrient status and economics of genotypes
results are in closer conformity with the findings of Sisodia
and Khamparia (2007) and Bastia (2000).

N (kg/ha) P2O5 (kg/

Available Available

18.0

17.6

17.6

15.8

18.2

17.2
Fibre quality parameters are by and large heritage

ha)

1.0

2.2
(Venugopalan et al. 2009). Quality parameters analysis found
that significant variation is noticed amongst genotypes. Fibre
length, and fibre strength have shown variable results, where

143.2

134.0

138.9

131.7

141.9

136.5

4.4

9.8
the variability has been explained by genotypes genetic
background (Meredith et al. 2012). The quality parameters
results revealed that suvin non Bt showed the significantly
K uptake
(kg/ha)

highest fibre length (39.3 mm of 2.5% span length) and fibre

56.9

82.1

63.9

82.8

65.3

80.1

4.1

9.1
strength (32.0 g/tex) among others (Table 2). Which was
followed by other ELS genotypes. The significantly least
2.5% span length ( 31.3 mm) and, fibre strength (22.0 g/tex)
P uptake
(kg/ha)

10.1

13.8

16.4

13.8
11.3

11.4
were recorded with intra hirsutum hybrid (RCH 659 BG II).

1.2

2.7
The genotypes recorded significantly highest seed cotton
yield. However, the significant reduction respectively of 20.4
N uptake

and 31.3% of 2.5% span length (mm) and fibre strength (g/
(kg/ha)

48.4

79.0

59.2

83.1

63.8

77.4

4.3

9.6
tex) were calculated with RCH 659 BG II. Koebernick et al.
(2012) reported that fibre length and strength had significant
(P<0.001) negative association with yield. The results further
MIC(μ/

revealed that a significant reduction in fibre quality traits

inch)

3.2

3.0

3.1

3.1

3.3

3.9

0.2
was observed as compared with bottom harvested bolls 0.4
than the middle and top ones. The reduction of 7.1, 4.5,
2.5% span Uniformity Strength(g/

12.7 and 19.4 percent of 2.5% span length(mm), uniformity

ratio, fibre strength (g/tex) and micronaire respectively were
32.0

29.4

29.4

30.0

30.7

22.0
tex)

0.8

1.8

observed as compared to bottom bursted bolls to top one.

Fibre strength was slightly greater in bolls from the first 4
to 6 week of flowering, compared with fibres from bolls
Table 2

ratio

42.7

43.0

43.0

42.3

43.7

45.7

0.7

1.6

produced by flowers opening during the last 2 weeks of the

flowering period (Jones and Wells 1997).
The phenological phase of genotypes includes squaring,
length
(mm)

flowering, boll bursting at first and 50% appeared, and the

39.3

36.5

37.1

37.4

38.0

31.3

0.7

1.5

dry matter recorded at squaring, flowering, and boll bursting

at 50% appeared were correlated with quality parameters.
The duration of the first squaring (r = 0.58 for 2.5% span
G5. RCH659BGII (control)

length and r = 0.56 for strength (g/tex)), 50% squaring (r

= 0.75 for 2.5% span length and r = 0.76 for strength (g/
G3. MRC 7918 BG II
G3. RCH 625 BG II

G4. CCB 29 non Bt

G2. HB 2110 BG II

tex)) and 50% boll bursting (r = 0.52 for 2.5% span length
G1. Suvin non Bt

and r = 0.56 for strength (g/tex)) were positively and

significantly correlated with fibre length and strength.The
CD (5%)
Treatment

duration of 50% squaring to first flowering was significantly

SEd

positively correlated with uniformity ratio (r=0.47). Dry

matter recorded at different phenological phases had a non-

74
June 2021] PRODUCTION POTENITAL ASSESSMENT OF ELS COTTON 879

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cotton. Journal of Cotton Resesarch and Development 32(1):
for nutrients that restored the soil at relatively high soil
84–96.
available nutrients. The negative balance of K is reported
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through fertilizer is far lesser than what is removed (Blaise Cotton Production Technologies in Next Decade: Problems
et al. 2005). and Perspectives, Odisha University of Agriculture Technology,
A significant reduction in fibre quality traits was Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 22–24, January, 2020.
observed as compared with bottom harvested bolls than Sisodia R I and Khamparia S K. 2007. American cotton varieties
the middle and top ones. Duration of first squaring, 50% as influenced by plant densities and fertility levels under rainfed
flowering, and 50% boll bursting were positively correlated conditions. Journal of Cotton Resesarch and Development
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length (39.3 mm of 2.5% span length) and fibre strength (32.0 Smith C W, Hague S, Hequet E F and Jones D. 2011. TAM B139-
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The authors are grateful to the ICAR-Central Institute used in estimation of leaf area of crop plants. Indian Journal
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Wiggins M S, Leib B G, Mueller T C and Main C L. 2014. Cotton
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