Genetic parameters and selection index in intraspecific cotton lines in a Brazilian semi-arid region
Jailma Souza Thomaz, Jean Pierre Cordeiro Ramos, Rennan Fernandes Pereira, Roseane Cavalcanti Santos and José Jaime Vasconcelos Cavalcanti
Abstract: The climatic and edaphic conditions of the semi-arid Brazilian Northeast region limit the production of several annual crops, including cotton. The aim of this study was to estimate the genetic parameters and select water stress tolerant cotton lines based on yield and fiber quality traits. Twenty cotton lines were evaluated in Alagoinha-PB over two years under rainfed conditions. Individual and joint analysis of variance was performed on the data. Genetic parameters were determined, and lines were selected using the selection index. The lines CNPA SA 2019-115, CNPA SA 2019-185, CNPA SA 2019-109, and CNPA SA 2019-165 were selected for further tests in the region for recommendation of new cultivars. These lines can form new blocks of crosses, together with the BRS 286 check cultivar, as they have the best mean yield and fiber quality values, with the expectation of significant genetic gains.