Stability analysis for bollworm complex in Gossypium hirsutum L.

One approach to improve cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) yield is to identify stable genotypes for low or no bollworms damage as it accounts low cost of cultivation to a considerable extent. The objective of the study was to identify stable genotypes for low bollworms damage under protected and unprotected experiments. Fifty cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes were evaluated for open bollworms damage percent (spotted, pink and Heliothis bollworms) for 3 years during 2003–2005 under protected and unprotected conditions. Variance due to genotypes, environments, genotype × environment and genotype × environment (linear) components were highly significant for the trait in protected and unprotected experiments. Under protected experiment, genotypes CSH 3020 and 3045 were found to be desirable and stable while genotype CSH 3058 was suited for poor environments. Fourteen genotypes viz. CSH 3034, 3035, 3043, 3044, 3047, 3051, 3053, 3058, 3059, 3094, 3106, 3114, 3123 and CSH-3157 were fairly stable under unprotected environments. The study lead to the conclude that in general for the two experiments the genotypes differed for stability for low bollworms damage.