Vol. 14, Issue 12 (2025)

Author(s):
Prem Kumar, AS Shekhawat, RS Sain, LS Dhayal, Manas Mathur and OP Sharma

Abstract:
The present study titled “Genetic Stability Analysis in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Genotypes” was conducted to evaluate the stability and performance of cotton genotypes under varying environmental conditions. The research was carried out at the Agriculture Research Station, Ganganagar (Rajasthan), during the Kharif season of 2024, employing three distinct environments created through varying sowing dates. The primary objective was to assess genetic stability and environmental adaptability for key agronomic traits. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed significant differences among genotypes across environments, indicating substantial genotype x environment interactions for most traits. Notably, some traits such as the number of sympodia per plant, number of balls per plant, ball weight, seed index, lint index, and lint yield per plant demonstrated stable behavior, signifying minimal environmental impact. Stability analysis based on the Eberhart and Russell model revealed that all 12 genotypes, comprising parents, crosses and checks exhibited non-significant deviation from regression for panicle length and panicle girth, indicating their stability and predictability for these traits. Notably, genotypes like RCH 776, RCH 773, and Ajeet 155 demonstrated high stability and adaptability under both favorable and unfavorable conditions. Furthermore, several genotypes, including RCH 776, RCH 650 and Ajeet 155, exhibited regression coefficients below unity, highlighting their appropriateness for less favorable conditions. Conversely, genotypes such as RCH 773, Ajeet 177 and Shreeram 321 displayed regression coefficients above unity indicating stable performance in favorable environments. The results of this study emphasize the importance of multi-environment trials for identifying genotypes that not only perform well under specific environmental conditions but also exhibit stable performance across diverse environments. This research contributes to the development of resilient and high-yielding cotton varieties enhancing sustainability and productivity in cotton farming systems.