PA 740: High yielding, superior fibre quality Desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) variety for South zone of India

Abstract

The varietal development programme of desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) undertaken at Cotton Research Station, Maheboob Baugh Farm, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani has resulted into development and release of desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) variety PA 740 for South zone of India. Pedigree method of breeding was used for development of Desi cotton variety PA 740. The variety PA 740 has recorded mean seed cotton yield of 13.63 Q/ha as against 13.67 Q/ha and 13.50 Q/ha of zonal and local checks, respectively. Similarly, in ‘on farm trials’, the variety has recorded 17.81% increased seed cotton yield over check variety PA 402. The proposed variety is tolerant to Bacterial blight and Alternaria leaf spot. The variety is found tolerant to sucking pests. The test variety has recorded mean fibre length of 27.86 mm, fibre strength of 25.06 g/tex and micronaire of 5.06. Newly developed variety PA 740 had given consistent performance for seed cotton yield across South Zone under rainfed condition. The variety PA 740 has long staple length, high fibre strength and acceptable micronaire and will meet the requirement of the modern textile industries. Release of such a high yielding stable variety with desirable fibre qualities will help to improve cotton productivity and income of rainfed farmers.