Abstract

The genetic analysis of cotton leaf area, cell membrane stability and relative water content is a key to improve drought tolerance under climate change scenario. Breeding populations such as F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 were developed by crossing cotton genotype BH-184 and CIM-446. The genetic assessment under normal as well as drought stress conditions included: Leaf water loss, Cell membrane’s thermo-stability, Relative water content, leaf area, monopodial branches, sympodial branches, plant height, bolls per plant, buds per plant, number of nodes and boll weight. The genetic analysis of six populations depicted that the traits related to drought tolerance such as leaf area, CMS, RWC were quantitative in nature. Additive, dominance, and genetic interactions were present in inheritance of these important traits. The genetic correlation indicated the association among the genes that are responsible for CMS and RWC were appeared to be linked with a trait leaf area. This result suggested that the traits related to drought tolerance are complex quantitative in nature and may be selected in lateral generation. The trait leaf area could be used as selection criteria and morphological marker for drought tolerance in cotton.