Abstract: This study aimed to select cotton genotypes adapted to semi-arid
conditions grown with supplementary irrigation. Two experiments were carried
out between March and July 2016 in Serra Talhada- Pernambuco and Apodi-Rio
Grande do Norte, Brazil. Eighteen elite genotypes bred by Embrapa Cotton and
two controls (BRS 286 and BRS 336) were evaluated under drip and sprinkler
irrigation. The experiment consisted of a randomized complete block design with
four replications. Agronomic and fiber quality traits were evaluated. The data
were subjected to individual and combined analysis of variance, and genotypes
were selected by the Mulamba and Mock selection index (1978). The genetic
parameters evidenced the possibility of significant gains in the selection process
of cotton plants. The four genotypes (CNPA 2006-3052, CNPA 2004-266, CNPA
2006-1073, and CNPA 2005-125) with highest total genetic gains for the studied
traits were considered the most promising.
ARTICLE – Selection of upland cotton for the Brazilian semi-arid region under supplementary irrigatio
