Genotypic Variation in Yield and Fiber Quality Traits of Cotton Grown from Seeds Packed in Different Packaging Materials

Five cotton genotypes viz., CB-08, SR-08, BC-0125, BC-0236 and BC-0252 were used to determine the effects of seeds of different storage containers on growth, yield and quality of cotton genotypes. The experiment was conducted between July, 2010 to February, 2011 at Cotton Research, Training and Seed Multiplication Farm, Sreepur, Gazipur, Bangladesh. Significant variations related to genotypes and seed sources were observed for stand establishment, branch development, phenology, yield components, yield and fiber quality attributes of cotton. Yield and quality of cotton were significantly higher when crop was grown from seeds stored in polythene bag as compared to cloth bag. Interaction of genotypes and seed sources indicated that highest sympodial branches plant^-1 (19.11), days to 50% flowering and boll splitting (72.00 and 156.33, respectively), number of bolls plant^-1 (20.33), boll weight (4.60 g), seed cotton and lint yield (2305.30 and 832.49 kg ha^-1, respectively), ginning out turn (36.04%) and lint index (6.28 g) were recorded for genotype BC-0125 grown from seed stored in polythene bag. Regarding fiber quality, the genotype SR-08 grown from seeds stored in polythene bag had the highest staple length (3.15 cm) and fiber strength (86.65 P.S.I). Therefore, effective breeding program with these two genotypes may lead to development of new genotype that will give higher yield consistent with higher fiber quality.