PA 740: High yielding, long staple Desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum) variety for Marathwada region of Maharashtra

Abstract

The varietal development programme was undertaken at Cotton Research Station, Maheboob Baugh Farm, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth, Parbhani. Pedigree method of breeding was used for development of Desi cotton variety PA 740. The variety PA 740 has recorded 21.41% and 19.30 % higher seed cotton yield over local checks PA 402 and Pa 08, respectively. Similarly, in ‘on farm trials’, the variety 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 Marathwada region under rainfed condition. Test 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.