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Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is an important natural textile fiber and oilseed crop widely cultivated in the world. Lint percentage (LP, %) is one of the important yield factor, thus increasing lint percentage is a core goal of cotton breeding improvement. However, the underlying genetic and molecular mechanisms that control lint percentage in upland cotton remain largely unknown. Here, we performed a Genome-wide association study (GWAS) for LP based on phenotypic tests of 254 upland cotton accessions in four environments and BLUPs using the high-density CottonSNP80K array. A total of 41,413 high-quality single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were screened and 34 SNPs within 22 QTLs were identified as significantly associated with lint percentage trait in different environments. In total, 175 candidate genes were identified from two major genomic loci (GR1 and GR2) of upland cotton and 50 hub genes were identified through GO enrichment and WGCNA analysis. Furthermore, two candidate/causal genes, Gh_D01G0162 and Gh_D07G0463, which pleiotropically increased lint percentage were identified and further verified its function through LD blocks, haplotypes and qRT-PCR analysis. Co-expression network analysis showed that the candidate/causal and hub gene, Gh_D07G0463, was significantly related to another candidate gene, Gh_D01G0162, and the simultaneous pyramid of the two genes lays the foundation for a more efficient increase in cotton production. Our study provides crucial insights into the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying variations of yield traits and serves as an important foundation for lint percentage improvement via marker-assisted breeding.

Background water shortage is the greatest significant reason controlling crop yield that harmfully affects fruit production, boll shedding, lint yield and fiber properties quality in cotton plants. Objectives: this study was carried out at Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Kafr El-Sheikh, Agric. Res. Center, Egypt, during 2014 and 2015 growing seasons. A study was undertaken in cotton (G. barbadense L.) to detect the magnitude of genetic divergence among parental cotton genotypes and their F1s cross combinations and to select most suitable combinations for tolerant water deficient. Results and conclusion: the data showed that the first eight main principal components with eigen value more than one are extracted from the complicated components, the total cumulative variance of these eight factors amount for about 85.28% of the total multivariate variance. Suggesting that these PCA scores might be used to summarize the original variables in any further analysis of the data. The female parent 10,229 formed wide cluster having wide divergent distance from the other groups. On the same trend, the extra-long varieties Giza 96 and Giza 45 formed unique groups, cluster number 8 and cluster 1 nearly related. Cluster number 7 and cluster 4 which consisted of two genotypes for each characterized by susstable to water deficit conditions. The cross combinations Giza 77 x Dandra, Giza 77 x Pima S6, Giza 96 x Australy and Minufy x Dandra grouped at the same cluster, however the cross combinations Giza 86 x Dandra and Giza 68 × 10,229 classified into two different clusters. The data revealed that the inter cluster distance was higher than the intra cluster, indicating wide genetic divergent among the studied genotypes. Principal components analysis is useful in identifying and most influential characters affecting genetic variation of population.

Water stress is a critical abiotic stress for plant reduction in arid and semiarid zones and, has been discovered to be detrimental to the development of seedlings as well as the growth and physiological characteristics of many crops such as cotton. The objectives of our study were to determine the combining ability and genetic components for five quantitative traits [(leaf area (LA), leaf dry weight (LDW), plant height (PH), fiber length (2.5 percent SL), and lint cotton yield/plant (LCY/P)] under water shortage stress, a half diallel cross between six cotton genotypes representing a wide range of cotton characteristics was evaluated in RCBD with four replications. The genotype mean squares were significant for all traits studied, demonstrating significant variation among genotypes for all characters under water shortage stress. LCY/P had the highest phenotypic and genotypic correlation co-efficient with PH, LDW, and LA shortage. The highest direct effect on lint cotton yield was exhibited by leaf area (3.905), and the highest indirect effects of all traits were through LA, with the exception of 2.5 percent SL, which was through LDW. The highest dissimilarity (Euclidean Distance) between parental genotypes was between G.87 and G.94, followed by G.87 and Menoufi. G.94 was also a well-adapted genotype, and the combinations G.87 x G.94 and G.87 x Menoufi may outperform their parents. The combining ability analysis revealed highly significant differences between parental GCA effects and F1 crosses SCA effects. The variation of GCA and SCA demonstrated the assurance of additive and non- additive gene action in the inheritance of all traits studied. In terms of general combining ability (GCA) effects, parental genotype G.94 demonstrated the highest significant and positive GCA effects for all traits studied, with the exception of 2.5 percent SL, where G.87 revealed the highest significant and positive GCA effects. The effects of specific combining ability (SCA) revealed that the cross (G.87 x2G.94) revealed stable, positive, and significant SCA for all of the studied traits.

The aim of this article is to investigate the works of Charles de Lint in order to evaluate their position within the genre of urban fantasy. The theoretical framework is adopted from Stefan Ekman’s article “Urban Fantasy: A Literature of the Unseen” (2016) which investigates the genre’s development and formulates a list of its most distinctive features. While this article uses Ekman’s study to examine de Lint’s fictional cities, it also indicates how de Lint’s works challenge Ekman’s analysis. Moreover, the article demonstrates how de Lint’s concern with problems of urban communities transforms his works into narratives of social inclusion, which are particularly significant in the age of the Anthropocene.

Changes in the production of Australian cotton lint are expected to have a direct environmental impact, as well as indirect impacts related to co-product substitution and induced changes in crop production. The environmental consequences of a 50% expansion or contraction in production were compared to Australian cotton production’s current environmental footprint. Both were then assessed to investigate whether current impacts are suitable for predicting the environmental impact of a change in demand for cotton lint. A consequential life cycle assessment (LCA) model of Australian cotton lint production (cradle-to-gin gate) was developed using plausible scenarios regarding domestic regions and technologies affected by changes in supply, with both expansion (additional cotton) and contraction (less cotton) being modelled. Modelling accounted for direct impacts from cotton production and indirect impacts associated with changes to cotton production, including co-product substitution and changes to related crops at regional and global scales. Impact categories assessed included climate change, fossil energy demand, freshwater consumption, water stress, marine and freshwater eutrophication, land occupation and land-use change. For both the expansion and contraction scenarios, the changes to climate change impacts (including iLUC) and water impacts were less than would be assumed from current production as determined using attributional LCA. However, the opposite was true for all other impact categories, indicating trade-offs across the impact categories. Climate change impacts under both scenarios were relatively minor because these were largely offset by iLUC. Similarly, under the contraction scenario, water impacts were dominated by indirect impacts associated with regional crops. A sensitivity analysis showed that the results were sufficiently robust to indicate the quantum of changes that could be expected. A complex array of changes in technologies, production regions and related crops were required to model the environmental impacts of a gross change in cotton production. Australian cotton lint production provides an example of legislation constraining the direct water impacts of production, leading to a contrast between impacts estimated by attributional and consequential LCA. This model demonstrated that indirect products and processes are important contributors to the environmental impacts of Australian cotton lint.

Soil salinity is one of the serious abiotic stresses adversely affects crop production. The objectives of this study were to screen fifteen long-staple cotton belong to Gossypium barbadense L. for salinity tolerance, salinity indices, genotypic correlations, and path-coefficient analysis. Under normal soil the genotypes differed significantly in most traits in both years. Under saline soil the differences among genotypes re significant in one year and in the combined analysis for SCY/P, LY/P, SI, NS/B, PH, and Pressley index. The cultivars “G 90 x Aus”, G95, G 90, G 80, and G 83 showed the highest performance in SCY/P, LY/P, Lint%, NB/P and NS/B either under normal or saline soil. The reduction% caused by salinity was observed for PH (55.92%), LY/P (52.21%), SCY/P (48 75%), NB/P (32.47%), LI (5.68%), Micronaire reading (11.22%), Pressley index (6.63%) and UHM length (0.89%). Giz90 x Aus followed by Giza 90 showed the best tolerance to salinity stress. The STI, MP, GMP, HM and DI detected both of tolerant and susceptible genotypes and could be considered the best tolerant indices. The direct and indirect effects of SCY/P components varied greatly under both environments. The direct effects of the SCY/P components under normal soil were 0.504, 0.401, 0.153 and 0.147 for NB/P, LY/P, SI, and NS/B, respectively. However, under saline soil the direct effects were 0.802, 0.178, 0.128 and 0.050 for LY/P, NB/P, NS/B and SI, respectively. Therefore, under both environments, selection should be paid mainly on NB/P and LY/P.

These experiments were conducted to study the response of some Egyptian cotton, Giza 96 (extra-long stable) and Giza Giza 96 (extra-long stable)varieties and its yield characteristic, lint percentage, fiber and yarn properties when using bio-fertilizers such as vermicompost, Bacteria bacteria inoculums (Bacillus polymxa, Bacillus megaterium and Bacillus circulans) and algae extract under different growing area, Sakha region (clay soil) and El-Nubaria region (calcareous soil).Concerning the effect of different treatments application on soil properties, thisresults showed a significantly increaseof soil organic matter, pHit was relatively insignificantly decreased and the vermicompost treatments had positive effects on the levels of N, P and K. available. As soil biological count of Bacteria, Fungi, Actinomycetes and Carbon dioxide evolution rate it showed a significant increase. The content of cotton plant leaves of chlorophyll A, B, Carotenoids and Total phenols was significantly improved under different fertilizer treatments compared to the control.The treatment with (vermicompost fertilizer + bacterial inoculation + 50% of mineral fertilizer recommended dose + algae extract) proved its superiority over the rest of the treatments, especially in the seed cotton yield, and lint percentage, which increased at 1.41 kentar per feddan and 0.63(lint %) compared to the two control treatments. Data of cotton yield characteristics, fiber and yarn properties were recorded significantly different due to cultivated in different regions.The difference among studied varieties may be due to the growth habit and response of each one to environmental conditions, which controlled by genetic factors and efficient utilization of inputs and natural resources.

Naturally colored cotton fiber is environment-friendly but has monotonous color and poor fiber quality. Identification of green fiber or fuzz genes would aid in investigating the biosynthesis of green pigments in cotton fibers. In this study, we established a mapping population and found that the Lgf trait (white lint and green fuzz) from Gossypium hirsutum race latifolium is controlled by an incompletely dominant gene. The Lgf locus was mapped to a 71-kb interval on chromosome 21 containing seven genes, including a transcription factor with similarity to Arabidopsis MYB9. Harboring 13 SNPs and a 4-bp insertion/deletion in its promoter, GhMYB9 was highly up-regulated in the critical period for green pigment development in fuzz. Virus-induced gene silencing of GhMYB9 in a green-fuzz accession of G. hirsutum race latifolium TX-41 conferred white or light green fuzz. These results suggest that GhMYB9 is an important contributor to green pigments in cotton fiber and shed light on the regulatory mechanism controlling green pigmentation.

Two field experiments were carried out in Agricultural Research and Experimental Station, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt (2019 and 2020) to study the response of Egyptian cotton cultivars (Giza 92, Giza 94 and Giza 95) growth, yield and fiber properties to foliar zinc (Zn) rates (0, 100 and 200 ppm) and nitrogen (N) fertilizers sources; urea (U), ammonium nitrate (AN) and ammonium sulfate (AS). Cultivars, N sources and foliar Zn led to a significant effect on plant height, number of sympodial branches plant-1, total and open bolls plant-1, boll weight, seed index, seed cotton yield plant-1, seed cotton yield fed-1, fiber strength, and fineness. While, cultivars had a significant effect on the position of the 1st sympodial node, lint%, fiber length and uniformity index. Giza 95 was a superior in above parameter except seed index and fiber quality. While, Giza 92 was a superior in fiber quality. Significant of two and three interactions between studied factors existed on most of studied traits. Whereas, the highest values were obtained from plots treated with AS with foliar Zn at 200 ppm in most cases. Significant relationships were found between total boll and percentage of open boll plant-1; R2 = 0.76 (Giza 92), 0.89 (Giza 94) and 0.91 (Giza 95). Also, seed cotton yield fed.-1 with open bolls plant-1, boll weight and lint% (R2 = 0.862, 0.632 and 0.619, respectively). In such experimental soil conditions ammonium sulfate and foliar Zn at 200 ppm could be recommended to improve the cotton properties.

Nigeria was a major global exporter of cotton lint to international market during the colonial and post-colonial era till late 70s when the country fully embraced oil exports to the detriment of the non-oil sector, cotton lint exports inclusive. However, Nigeria is gradually emphasizing agricultural exports again to earn huge foreign exchange, the oil sector having left the country in economic crises. This study utilized time series model particularly, Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) to make forecasting of cotton lint exports in Nigeria by using 46 yearly observations (1970-2015). The model went through series of investigative and diagnostic tests in order to observe the usefulness of the model. The fitting of the selected ARIMA (2,1,2) model to the time series data, means fitting ARIMA (2,1,2) model of one first order difference. Smaller RMSE, MAE as well as Theil Inequality coefficient are actually preferred and justified that ARIMA (2,1,2) model was justified as adequate for the forecasting of cotton lint exports in Nigeria with AIC value of 20.96771, SIC value of 21.04881, MAPE value of 6751.231, RMSE of 93303.67 and R2 of 0.330951. A thirty-year period ahead of cotton lint exports is predicted. The observations signify a rising trend in exports hence; it will be available especially in the future for foreign trade in the next thirty years. The outcome from the study is valuable for trade organisations and investors in assessing the precariousness of the market structure.

In agriculture, fungi can cause serious damage, resulting in critical losses of yield, quality and profit. Fungicides help in reducing the damage caused by fungus, reduce the yield loss and play a major role in quality improvement. The present investigation was carried out at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University to evaluate the influence of trifloxystrobin 50% + tebuconazole 25% (Nativo 75WG) on the yield and quality improvement on Bunny hybrid Bt cotton. Nativo 75WG was applied on the leaves of cotton plants at 40-60 (DAS) and 60-80 (DAS) at the concentration of 250, 300, 350 g/ha and Carbendazim @ 500 g/ha. The observations recorded were related to yield and quality attributes in all treatments. The application of Nativo @ 300 g/ha showed a significant increase in boll weight (4.86 g), lint yield per boll (3.86 g boll-1) and lint per plant (138.48 g plant -1) than other treatments. With respect to seed cotton yield and harvest index (0.37 %), the Nativo @ 300 g/ha registered a higher yield (20.2 %) and HI than control under the irrigated situation. Foliar application of treatments during the flowering stage (40-60 DAS) and boll formation stages (60-80 DAS) had increased the quality parameters such as fiber length (2.5% staple length, 50 % staple length) and fiber strength. Further, the foliar spray of Nativo @ 300 g/ha applied to bunny hybrid Bt cotton had resulted in a higher yield (2920.15 kg ha-1) due to an increase in leaf area index, greenness of leaf and higher dry matter production of the plant.

This study aimed at assessing genotypic variability among six cotton genotypes and their 15 F1 crosses, clarifying the relationship between cotton yield and important agronomic traits, and determining the amount of direct and indirect impacts of attributed traits on cotton yield. Six long-staple and high-yielding cotton genotypes and their 15 F1 crosses were evaluated in the summer season of 2017 at the Experimental Farm of Sids Research Station, Beni-Suef, Egypt. The obtained results revealed highly significant differences among parental genotypes and their F1 crosses for all evaluated traits.The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) was greater than the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) for all studied traits. The difference between PCV and GCV was very low for days to first flower unfolding, days to first opened boll,and uniformity ratio, while was relatively higher for number of nodes to first sympodial branch, lint index, micronaire reading, fiber strength, 100-seed weight, seed yield/plant, and lint yield/plant. The heritability in broad sense (h2b) values were high for days to first flower unfolding, days to first opened boll. Moreover, number of opened bolls/plant and boll weight/plant had positive and significant genotypic and phenotypic correlation with seed yield/plant and lint yield/plant. Furthermore, number of opened bolls/plant, boll weight/plant, and 100-seed weight exhibited positive direct effect on seed cotton yield. The highest indirect effects on seed cotton yield were assigned for number of opened bolls/plant, boll weight/plant, 100-seed weight, lint percentage, and lint index through lint yield/plant. The obtained results provide valuable information for cotton breeding programs to develop new high-yielding genotypes with acceptable fiber quality parameters

The most important goal in cotton breeding is to increase the fiber yield which can be increased by improving a key trait, lint percentage (LP). However, narrow genetic background of upland cotton ...

The present study was conducted to select cotton stable cultivars with high productivity across various environments. Nine Egyptian cotton cultivars were grown in a split-plot randomized complete block design with three replications consisted of six different environments (2 years × 3 sowing dates) to identify the high yield stability cultivars under these conditions. Pooled analysis of variance for; number of bolls/plant, seed cotton yield and lint yield revealed significant differences due to cultivars, environments and their interactions. Results revealed that the cultivars Dandara and Giza 90 were considered as superior cultivars under different environmental conditions due to their high number of bolls/plant, seed and lint yield traits across different environments when compared with grand mean for these traits beside acceptable stability parameters (bi near to one, S2di non-significant, α stability value not significantly differed from zero and the λ statistic was not significantly differed from one). Therefore, it could be used in breeding programs for development of high yield stable genotypes across environments for future use. Also, principal component analysis (PCA) showed that Dandara and Giza 90 cultivars were located near all studied traits and environments (stable cultivars over different environments). According to our results the two cultivars (Dandara and Giza 90) can be recommended to be uses under a wide range of environmental conditions and use in breeding programs for development of high yield stable genotypes across environments for future use.

US cotton producers are motivated to optimize planter performance to ensure timely and uniform stand establishment early in the season, especially when planting in sub-optimal field conditions. Field studies were conducted in 2017, 2018 and 2019 to evaluate the effect of seeding depth and planter downforce on crop emergence and yield in cotton planted in different soil moisture conditions. Field conditions representative of dry, normal and wet soil moisture conditions were attained by applying 0, 1.27 and 2.54 cm of irrigation within the same field. Two cotton cultivars (representing a small-seeded and a large-seeded cultivar, 9259–10,582 and 11,244–14,330 seeds kg−1, respectively), were planted at seeding depths of 1.3, 2.5 and 3.8 cm with each seeding depth paired with three different planter downforces of 0, 445 and 890 N in each block. Cotton was planted in plots that measured 3.66 m (four-rows) wide by 10.67 m long. Results indicated that crop emergence was affected by the seeding depth across most field conditions and higher crop emergence was observed in the large-seeded cultivar at 1.3 and 3.8 cm seeding depths in dry and wet field conditions, respectively. Lint yield was also higher for the large-seeded cultivar at the 3.8 cm seeding depth across all field conditions in 2017, and in dry field conditions in 2018. Planter downforce effect on crop emergence varied among the cultivars where the large-seeded cultivar exhibited higher crop emergence than the small-seeded cultivar at 445 and 890 N downforce. Planter downforce of 445 N yielded greater than the 0 and 890 N treatment in dry field conditions in 2017. The study results suggest that matching planter depth and downforce settings for prevalent soil moisture conditions at planting along with appropriate cultivar selection can help in achieving optimal emergence and yield in cotton.

Early prediction of crop yield serves as a strategic plan for policymakers in making suitable import–export policies. In this research, remote sensing driven semi-empirical light use efficiency (LUE) model and a process-based crop simulation model (CSM) approach were attempted to predict cotton yield in the five districts of Maharashtra state, India. Time-series satellite data from different earth observation (EO) missions were retrieved from 2011 to 2017. Satellite-based measurements of fraction of absorbed photosynthetically active radiation (FAPAR) and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) data were directly incorporated into the LUE model. The LUE model approach used observed minimum (0.07) and maximum (0.12) lint harvest index (HI) values to predict the cotton yield. On the other hand, the CSM model was parameterized with observed field management, soil, weather, and cultivar data for crop yield prediction. The inter-evaluation of models has revealed that the LUE model with HI value 0.07 (HI0.07) performed better when compared to the LUE model with HI value 0.12 (HI0.12) and CSM model. LUE model HI0.07 had shown better accuracy in terms of root mean square error (RMSE) of 154 kg ha−1 and correlation coefficient value of (R2 = 0.46) when compared with LUE model HI0.12 (RMSE 310 kg ha−1 and R2 = 0.41) and CSM model (RMSE 235 kg ha−1 and R2 = 0.38). The predicted yield from the models was found satisfactory for the normal year with acceptable accuracy. However, overestimation of yield was seen for the years affected by drought. This study has shown the potential of geospatial data that can be coupled with crop models to predict the crop yield with limited field observations.

Two field experiments were conduct at Sakha Agricultural Research Station at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, during 2018 and 2019 seasons to study increasing the efficiency of surface irrigation by using surge irrigation for cotton production in the Delta soils for Giza 96 cotton variety. A split plots design with four replications was used, where the main plots involved three lengths of irrigation rows (30, 40 and 50 meter) and the sub plots included three surge irrigation timing systems (time for opening and closing surge irrigation) (10 minute open -10 minute close, 15 minute open -15 minute close and 20 minute open -20 minute close until finish from irrigation). The results indicated that; The 30 meter row length irrigation significantly increased p lant height, no. of fruiting branches/plant, number of open bolls /plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield/plant and seed cotton yield/fed. compared with the other treatments irrigation row lengths 40 and 50 meter. The surge irrigation timing system 10 minutes open and 10 minutes close significantly increased plant height, number of fruiting branches/plant, number of open bolls/plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield/plant and seed cotton yield/fed. compared with the other surge irrigation timing systems (15-15 and 20-20). The interaction between 30 meter row length and surge irrigation timing system 10 minutes open and 10 minutes close gave the good values of growth, yield and its components of Giza 96 cotton variety in both seasons. Row lengths irrigation and surge irrigation timing systems treatments and its interaction did not exhibit any significant effect on seed index, lint % and fiber properties in both seasons. Finally, using 30 meter irrigation row length and surge irrigation timing systems 10 minutes open and 10 minutes close gave the highest seed cotton yield/fed. for Giza 96 cotton cultivar under the conditions of Kafr El-Sheikh in the Delta soils.

A study was conducted to assess the extent of the heterosis for sixteen yield and yield-attributing traits in four cotton hybrids (each having P1, P2, F1, F2, BC1 and BC2 generations) obtained by crossing four interspecific lines of desi cotton in a compact family block design with three replications during kharif 2017-18. Highly significant and positive relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and inbreeding depression were recorded in most of the crosses. For seed cotton yield per plant, positive and highly significant relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and inbreeding depression were recorded in all the four crosses indicated major role of non-additive gene actions in the inheritance of seed cotton yield per plant and its attributes, while cross III (GShv 362/12 x PA 812) recorded the highest heterotic effect among all crosses which also performed well for monopodia per plant, average boll weight, lint yield per plant, ginning percentage, lint index, fibre fineness and fibre strength.

This experiment was conducted in order to estimate general and specific combining abilities effects and genetic divergence for yield and quality characters using the line x tester mating design. Seven lines and four testers along with their 28 crosses of (Gosssypium barbadense L.) were evaluated for yield and fiber characters at Sakha Agric. Res. Stat. during 2018 growing season. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes, parents and crosses for all studied characters, indicating the presence of considerable amount of genetic variability among the evaluated genotypes. The variance due to parents versus crosses was also significant for most studied characters indicating that significant heterosis could be expected incrosses for these characters and comparison will be much relevant. The variance due to males and females were also significant for most studied characters and majority than the variance due to parents (lines and testers), these results indicated that the experimental materials possessed considerable variability and the two types of combining ability were involved in the genetic expression of these characters. However line vs. tester showed highly significant differences for most studied traits, showing theimportance of both additive and non additive variance gene effects. Among the female parents (testers) Karshenky2 was the best combines for earliness index and micronaire reading. Giza 94 was the best general combines for earliness index , most yield and fiber characters. Giza45 and Giza 86 were predicted to be best general combines for fiber characters.While, Giza 93 has positive and significant general combining ability (GCA) for all the studied yield traits and fiber strength. The cross combinations Giza 86 x Giza 94 and Giza 93 x Giza 94 showed significant positive SCA values for boll weight, seed index and lint index. The dissimilarity coefficients among eleven cotton genotype corresponding to 55 possible comparisons showed that about 95% of the values were significant as Chi squares values. The eleven cotton parental genotypes evaluated in this study were grouped into five major clusters by using hierarchical clustering method on the basis of dissimilarity among parents and contribution of evaluated characters. The inter cluster distance was higher than the intra cluster indicating wide genetic divergent among the genotypes. The female parents Kar2, Suvin, Giza89*p s6 and Giza94 grouped at three wide clusters and divergent distance from each others. The extra-long varieties Giza 96, Giza 93and Giza 92 grouped at the same cluster and closely related with Giza 45 (cluster5) and divergent distance with the other groups. The male parents Giza 85, Giza90 and the female Kar2 grouped at the same cluster (1) and characterized as a good combiner for earliness index. The Egyptian variety Giza94 and the Indian genotype Suvin formed unique two groups (clusters 2 and 4) and pose most genes which controlling general combining ability for yield traits. The 36 genotypes were grouped into 12 major clusters based on relative dissimilarity among genotypes. The distribution of parental genotypes and their F1 heterozygous in dendrogram reflects a broad parallelism between divergence distance, general and specific combining ability. Parents for hybridization could be selected based on large inter cluster distance to isolate useful recombinants through segregates

This article presents a methodology for finding hardware security bugs, using Lint tools that use static analysis techniques, along with best practices for code reviews and developing test cases.

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a major source of fibre for the textile industry and naturally coloured cotton fibre does not require the use of synthetic dyes making it an eco‐friendly option for textile production. Coloured cotton cultivars are however associated with lower fibre yields and reduced lint quality. A greater understanding of the genetic mechanisms underlying fibre colouration will aid in the development of improved cultivars. The brown‐fibred Gossypium arboreum L. accession PI 615733 was identified from the United States Department of Agriculture germplasm collection and crossed with three white‐fibred accessions PI 529712, PI 529729 and PI 615740 to develop F₂ populations for genetic evaluation. Population data indicated a single dominant gene conferred the brown fibre phenotype. Variation in the intensity of fibre colouration was observed within populations. These data failed to support an incomplete dominance model suggesting genetic modifiers may also play a role in fibre colouration. Additionally, chimeras were frequently observed in the PI 615733 × PI 615740 population. These data will be useful to further characterize the brown fibre trait.

Cotton-sunflower cropping system is a unique oilseed-based rotation. The real problem is overlapping sunflower-maturity with cotton-sowing. Investigations aim to tackle cotton-late-sowing through sowing-time-adjustment and cultivar-selection at cropping-system-level. Cotton (May 10th to June 24th) and sunflower (December 20th to February 03rd) sowing-dates were maintained biweekly. Maturity-time based cultivars were selected (early, medium, late) and variations in ambient-temperature through sowing-dates from 33.2 to 33.9 °C, 32.2 to 33.6 °C and 29.2 to 32.6 °C, length of emergence-squaring, squaring-flowering and flowering-maturity differed by 3.1, 1.5 and 5.1 days, respectively. Likewise, sunflower-sowing-dates based ambient-temperature ranged 13.7–18.1 °C, 16.3–17.5 °C and 23.8–28.5 °C at emergence-budding, budding-anthesis and anthesis-maturity, resulted in a difference of 13.5, 4.8 and 1.0 days. Results revealed that cotton late-sowing (May 10th to June 24th) and sunflower (December 20th to January 19th) resulted in reduces seedcotton, lint and achene yield by 19.9, 8.2 and 8.8 kg ha−1 day−1. Oil productivity was the highest in cotton vide June 24th and in sunflower 04th January. In this cropping system, cotton is highly sensitive to sowing-dates for yield losses (35%) and sunflower less sensitive (14.4%). Meanwhile, yield variations in cotton-cultivars (12.5%) and sunflower-hybrids (10.0%). It was realized that sunflower December 20th hold great importance to assure minimum cotton yield-losses than looking for hybrids.

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois), is an important insect pest in cotton that feeds on reproductive fruit, contributing to yield loss. Economically damaging infestations of L. lineolaris have doubled in Virginia since 2013. Escalation of L. lineolaris abundance may increase Fusarium hardlock disease observed in this region, compounding economic losses. Research has linked Fusarium hardlock with fungal species Fusarium verticillioides and F. proliferatum. Field and greenhouse experiments were performed to investigate (i) Fusarium hardlock occurrence in field plots managed and unmanaged for L. lineolaris, (ii) severity of F. verticillioides infection of cotton bolls with and without the presence of L. lineolaris feeding in a greenhouse setting, and (iii) Fusarium species composition and prevalence within field-collected L. lineolaris and cotton lint with and without insect feeding injury and hardlock symptoms present. Nearly twice the amount of hardlock (i.e., proportion of hardlocked locules) occurred in field-collected bolls with L. lineolaris feeding symptoms (0.40 ± 0.02) compared with bolls without (0.21 ± 0.01). Based on real-time quantitative PCR, cotton bolls exposed to F. verticillioides inoculum and caged with L. lineolaris adults had greater levels of F. verticillioides DNA compared with untreated bolls. F. proliferatum, F. verticillioides, and F. fujikuroi were isolated from field-collected L. lineolaris and hardlocked cotton lint at harvest. These findings suggest that the presence of L. lineolaris is associated with an increased risk of Fusarium hardlock in Southeastern cotton, and both should be carefully managed using timely insecticide applications and cultural control practices to minimize yield loss.

HighlightsLater planting and greater site elevation or latitude decreased seasonal growing degree days and cotton yield in Kansas.Higher irrigation capacity (rate) usually increased lint yield, which was probably due to increased early boll load.Strategies for splitting land allocations between high irrigation rates and dryland did not increase production.Cotton may reduce irrigation withdrawals from the Ogallala aquifer, but the Kansas growing season limits production.Abstract. Precipitation in the western Great Plains averages about 450 mm, varying little with latitude and providing 40% to 80% of potential crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Supplemental irrigation is required to fully meet crop water demand, but the Ogallala or High Plains aquifer is essentially non-recharging south of Nebraska. Pumping water from this aquifer draws down water tables, leading to reduced water availability and deficit irrigation to produce an alternate crop such as cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) with a lower peak water demand than corn (Zea mays L.). Our objective was to compare simulated cotton yield response to emergence date, irrigation capacity, and application period at three western Kansas locations (Colby, Tribune, and Garden City) with varying seasonal energy or cumulative growing degree days (CGDD) and compare split center pivot deficit irrigation strategies with a fixed water supply (i.e., where portions of the center pivot land area are managed with different irrigation strategies). We used actual 1961-2000 location weather records with the GOSSYM simulation model to estimate yields of cotton planted into soil at 50% plant-available water for three emergence dates (DOY 145, 152, and 159) and all combinations of irrigation period (0, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks beginning at first square) and capacity (2.5, 3.75, and 5.0 mm d-1). Simulated lint yield and its ratio to ETc, or water use efficiency (WUE), consistently decreased with delayed planting (emergence) as location elevation or latitude increased due to effects on growing season CGDD. Depending on location, simulated cotton lint consistently increased (p = 0.05) for scenarios with increasing irrigation capacity, which promoted greater early season boll load, but not for durations exceeding 4 to 6 weeks, probably because later irrigation and fruiting did not complete maturation during the short growing season. Cotton WUE generally increased, with greater yields resulting from earlier emergence and early high-capacity irrigation. We calculated lower WUE where irrigation promoted vigorous growth with added fruiting forms that delayed maturation and reduced the fraction of open bolls. The irrigation strategy of focusing water at higher capacities on a portion of the center pivot in combination with the dryland balance did not increase net yields significantly at any location because the available seasonal energy limited potential crop growth and yield response to irrigation. However, the overall net lint yield was numerically larger for focused irrigation strategies at the southwest Kansas location (Garden City). Based on lint yields simulated under uniform or split center pivot deficit irrigation, we conclude that cotton is poorly suited as an alternative crop for central western and northwestern Kansas because of limited growing season CGDD. Keywords: Cotton, Crop simulation, Deficit irrigation, Evapotranspiration, Irrigation capacity, Split center pivot irrigation, Water use efficiency, Yield limiting factors.

The available genetic variability in the studied germplasm may be used for direct selection or hybridization program. The experimental material comprised of F1 and F2 populations along with their respective parents of two intra-specific cotton crosses belonging to G. barbadense L., to estimate heritability, genetic advance as percent of mean and transgressive segregation for boll weight, seed cotton yield per plant, lint yield per plant, lint percentage, fiber length, fiber strength, fiber fineness and uniformity ratio. Variance of parents was lowest for all the studied traits suggesting thereby homogeneity within parents. But it abruptly increased in F2 population due to release of segregation variability. Most of the studied traits showed high heritability coupled with low genetic advance as percent of mean which indicated the predominant role of non-additive gene action in the expression of these traits. Both skewness and kurtosis had lower values and differ in the two crosses for studied traits. Lint yield / plant and lint % showed negative skewness sign and micronaire value had positive kurtosis sign for the two studied crosses. The two crosses had thrown maximum number of transgressive segregants over better parent for fiber length followed by micronaire value and boll weight, while, uniformity ratio had lowest number of transgressive segregants. The most promising transgressive segregants selected in F2 generation also to breakdown the negative correlation between high yield and fiber quality traits. The cotton breeder could be used indirect selection to improve these traits. These desirable selected plants had higher threshold value for the eight studied traits. A track on these transgressive segregants should be maintained and forwarded to further generations up to reach to homozygosity. Most promising one could be used in further breeding programme.

Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) production in Oklahoma has more than tripled in the last ten years. This increase in cotton acreage in Oklahoma, a region that traditionally produces winter wheat, has led to increased incidences of 2,4 D contamination in sprayers that are used to spray cotton crops. Cotton is extremely sensitive to 2,4 D, with losses of yield and ultimately profit to the cotton producer in cases of drift or tank carryover. In this study, six cotton cultivars (three 2,4 D susceptible and three 2,4 D tolerant) were grown in combination with four N treatments to determine the benefits or drawbacks of using a green manure as N source. Seedcotton, seed, and lint yield were all negatively impacted by 2,4 D in the susceptible cultivars. Additionally, water use was increased in the susceptible cultivars compared to the tolerant cultivars. The negative effects of 2,4 D on cotton growth were partially mitigated by grasspea, though the supply of too much nitrogen increased the negative effects of 2,4 D. Applying nitrogen to a susceptible cultivar of cotton contaminated by 2,4 D is not recommended for short season environments like Oklahoma.

In the present investigation, 39 desi (Gossypium arboreum L.) genotypes along with three checks viz., AKA-7, PA-08 and JLA-794 were studied to observe genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for fifteen yield contributing and fiber quality characters. Analysis of variance showed significant differences for all the characters among genotypes indicating the presence of wide range of genetic variability in the experimental materials. The high GCV and PCV were observed for number of boll per plant, seed cotton yield per plant, number of sympodia per plant, lint index and plant height. High heritability estimates coupled with high expected genetic advance were observed for the characters number of boll per plant, seed cotton yield per plant, number of sympodia per plant, lint index, plant height and micronaire. It indicates the presence of additive gene action and phenotypic selection may be more fruitful and effective for desired genetic improvement.

The present study was carried out at Seds Agricultural Research Station, Cotton Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Egypt, during 2019 and 2020 seasons. This investigation was carried out to estimate heterosis, combining ability, proportional contributions, genetic components and heritability estimates of some characters for six Egyptian cotton varieties as lines i.e, Giza 80, Giza 86, Giza 90, Giza 93, Giza 94 and Giza 95, while, the other three genotypes used as testers were Karshenky, Ustraly 13 and Pima S4, using line x tester analysis. In 2020 season a randomized complete block design with three replications was carried to evaluate all genotype (nine parents and their 18 F1s crosses) for some genetic parameters. The results indicated that mean squares due to the genotypes, parents, parents vs. crosses, crosses, lines, testers and Line x Tester were highly significant for all studied traits, except boll weight, seed index and lint index at tester and fiber strength for Line x Tester. The following crosses demonstrated the best heterosis relative to mid- and better-parent, i.e, Giza 80 x Karashenky, Giza 86 x Ustraly 13 and Giza 86 x Pima S4 for most yield studied traits and the crosses Giza 93 x Karashenky and Giza 93 x Ustraly 13 for most fiber quality traits. The results revealed that the lines Giza 86 and Giza 94 were significant and positive desirable GCA effects for most yield traits. Giza 93 had significant desirable GCA effects for all fiber traits, in this respect, the results of testers showed that Pima S4 had significant desirable for some yield and fiber traits. However, estimates of specific combining ability (SCA) effects for crosses Giza 86 x Ustraly 13, Giza 90 x Pima S4, Giza 93 x Karshenky and Giza 95 x Pima S4 were significant desirable SCA effects for most yield traits, while, the crosses Giza 90 x Pima S4, Giza 93 x Karshenky and Giza 95 x Pima S4 were significant desirable SCA effects for most fiber traits. The results showed that proportion contribution of lines was higher than of lines x tester interaction contribution and testers for all studied traits. The non-additive of genetic parameters was larger than additive genetic variance with respect to all studied traits except lint percentage, seed index, lint index and upper half mean. The highest broad sense heritability estimates was observed in case of UHM with values of 88.47% and the lowest was for fiber strength with value of 32.24%, while for narrow sense heritability, it was ranged from 8.04% to 49.03% for boll weight and upper half mean, respectively. Generally, Giza 86 and Giza 94 could be used in breeding programs for improving high yielding varieties, while Giza 93 could be considered as excellent parent for breeding programs to produce new varieties characterized with best fiber properties.

The aim of the research work is to increase the yield of cotton fiber by improving the processing technology of germinated seeds, to improve the quality indicators of seeds and lint. In order to achieve this goal, a mesh surface device was created to sort the seeds into fractions. Sorting technology was developed on this device and operating modes were determined. In addition, the law of surface distribution of the fractions separated from the cotton stream moving along the surface of the net was determined, and based on the results of practical and theoretical research, a mode of sorting of cotton seeds was developed. As a result, differential equations of the law of oscillation of seeds on parallel bases, taking into account the angle of inclination for the movement of cotton seeds on the sorting surface, were constructed and programmed on a computer to construct the trajectory of seeds. On the basis of the laws of motion, the optimal value of the angle of inclination on the horizontal, which gives the state of sorting of seeds, as well as the values of the amplitude and frequency of vibrations, was determined.

Cotton is an industrial crop grown both in the north and in the Southern hemisphere and is one of the most profitable crops. Water is the resource that will be the most limited, especially for agriculture in the coming years. Irrigation availability is a critical factor in growing cotton in hot and dry climates. The experiments were performed in central Greece, in Palamas of the Karditsa region, for two years (2015-2016). The treatments were four different irrigation regimes, where IRR. 2 and IRR. 4 were deficient irrigations, IRR. 6, was a sufficient and IRR. 8, were overflow. Four varieties of cotton (Dp 419, Campo, Andromeda, Lider) were used where the effects of irrigation on cotton boll characteristics were recorded. The measurements made concerned the agronomic as well as the qualitative characteristics of the cotton bolls such as lint proportion, seed percentage, oil content, oil yield and micronaire. The oil content had positive correlation with the lint proportion and negative correlation with the seed percentage. In the both years of experiments the IRR. 2 and IRR. 8, irrigation regimes had negative effects while IRR. 4 and IRR. 6 had positive effects. Also among the varieties, Andromeda and Lider were the ones that stood out in both years.

Two field experiments were carried out during the 2014 and 2015 seasons to evaluate certain genotypes of Egyptian cotton under well irrigated and water stress conditions. The cross combination Giza 69 x Australy recorded the best values for better parent heterosis for all physiological measurements and earliness index under well irrigated and deficit conditions. Of the female parents, Giza 86 was found to be a good general combiner for most yield characters under both normal and stress conditions, followed by Giza 94. Data illustrated that Giza 45 was the best general combiner for most fiber quality traits under both conditions. The cross combinations Giza 86 x Dandra and Giza 69 x Pima S6 showed significant positive SCA values for seed cotton and lint yield/plant under well irrigated and water deficit conditions. However, the combinations Giza 77 x PimaS6 and Giza 94 x 10229 recorded significant positive SCA effects for seed cotton yield/plant under stress. Whilst, the cross Giza 68 x 10229 recorded significant desirable SCA effects for most fiber quality properties. In this context, the estimates significant positive general and specific combining ability effects indicated that the epistasis and/or dominance effects for F1 hybrid in cotton could be important to a certain extent.

The aim of this paper is to examine Charles de Lint’s novel Widdershins(2006), whose main theme is an interspecies war for the American land. The paper demonstrates how, by exploring the themes of Indigenous suffering, belief in species interconnectedness, reverence for the natural world, and approach to trauma, the novel participates in the deconstruction of colonial structures present in the concept of the Anthropocene. The paper also engages de Lint’s novel in a dialogue with the studies on the Anthropocene to prove that, by providing its readers with alternative modes of thinking, fantasy fiction can contribute to the cognitive change required to save our planet from human-wrought destruction.

Drought stress is one of the major abiotic stresses affecting lint yield and fibre quality in cotton. With increase in population, degrading natural resources and frequent drought occurrences, development of high yielding, drought tolerant cotton cultivars is critical for sustainable cotton production across countries. Six Gossypium hirsutum genotypes identified for drought tolerance, wider adaptability and better fibre quality traits were characterized for various morpho-physiological and biochemical characters and their molecular basis was investigated under drought stress. Under drought conditions, genotypes revealed statistically significant differences for all the morpho-physiological and biochemical traits. The interaction (genotype × treatment) effects were highly significant for root length, excised leaf water loss and cell membrane thermostability indicating differential interaction of genotypes under control and stress conditions. Correlation studies revealed that under drought stress, relative water content had significant positive correlation with root length and root-to-shoot ratio while it had significant negative correlation with excised leaf water loss, epicuticular wax, proline, potassium and total soluble sugar content. Analysis of expression of fourteen drought stress related genes under water stress indicated that both ABA dependent and ABA independent mechanisms of drought tolerance might be operating differentially in the studied genotypes. IC325280 and LRA5166 exhibited ABA mediated expression of stress responsive genes and traits. Molecular basis of drought tolerance in IC357406, Suraj, IC259637 and CNH 28I genotypes could be attributed to ABA independent pathway. Based on physiological phenotyping, the genotypes IC325280 and IC357406 were identified to possess better root traits and LRA5166 was found to have enhanced cellular level tolerance. Variety Suraj exhibited good osmotic adjustment and better root traits to withstand water stress. The identified drought component trait(s) in specific genotypes would pave way for their pyramiding through marker assisted cotton breeding.

This study was carried out at during 2019 and 2020 seasons on the laboratory at Cotton Technology Research Division, Cotton Research Institute, Agricultural Research Center, Giza, Egypt, to investigate the effect of six Egyptian cotton varieties (Giza 92, Giza 96, Giza 86, Giza 94, Giza 95 and Giza 90) and three categories of short fiber content (5.50, 6.75 and 8.25 %) which obtained from three lint cotton grades, i.e. fully good, good and fully good fair respectively, from each cotton variety on fiber and yarn quality measurements under using the new technique of the ring spinning system. Extra long staple as Giza 92 and Giza 96 significantly recorded the maximum upper half mean length (UHML), fiber bundle strength (FBS), lea count strength product at yarn count of 40’s (LCSP40), lea count strength product at yarn count of 60’s (LCSP60), single yarn strength at yarn count of 40’s (SYS40), single yarn strength at yarn count of 60’s (SYS60) and yarn evenness at yarn count of 60’s (YE60) as well as gave the lowest short fiber index (SFI), fiber elongation percentage (FEP), micronaire value (MIC), trash area (TA) and trash content (TC) in both seasons. The greatest fiber uniformity index (FUI), MIC and fiber maturity (FM) as well as the minimum yarn evenness at yarn count of 40’s (YE40) and YE60 in both seasons were obtained from Giza 86 cotton variety. Giza 94 cotton variety recorded the highest fiber brightness degree (Rd) as well as the lowest linear density (LD), fiber yellowness degree (+b), LCSP60 and SYS60 in both seasons. The highest SFI and +b were obtained from Giza 95 cotton variety in both seasons. Giza 90 cotton variety gave the highest FEP, LD, TA, TC and YE40, as well as gave the lowest UHML, FUI, FBS, FM, RD, LCSP40 and SYS40 in both seasons. Increasing short fiber content from 5.50, 6.75 to 8.25 % caused significant increments in SFI, FEP, +b, TA, TC, YE40 and YE60. On the other hand, UHML, FUI, FBS, MIC, FM, LD, Rd, LCSP40, LCSP60, SYS40 and SYS60 were significantly decreased in both seasons. Giza 92 cotton variety at fewest short fiber content (5.50 %) gave the maximum FBS, SYS40 and SYS60, while at highest short fiber content (8.25 %) recorded the minimum MIC and the highest YE60 in both seasons. Giza 96 cotton variety at lowest short fiber content gave the highest UHML, LCSP40 and LCSP60, as well as gave the lowest SFI, FEP, TA and TC in both seasons. The maximum FUI, MIC, FM as well as the lowest YE40 and YE60 in both seasons were produced from Giza 86 cotton variety with lowest short fiber content. The maximum Rd and lowest +b were obtained from Giza 94 cotton variety at lowest short fiber content, while, with the same cotton variety with highest short fiber content recorded the lowest LD, LCSP60 and SYS60 in both seasons. The fibers which obtained from Giza 95 cotton variety with highest short fiber content significantly recorded the greatest SFI and +b in both seasons. The maximum FEP, TA, TC, YE40 as well as the minimum UHML, FUI, FBS, FM, Rd, LCSP40 and SYS40 were obtained from Giza 90 cotton variety when used highest short fiber content, while, under the same cotton variety at lowest short fiber content recorded the highest LD in both seasons. There were significant negative correlation coefficients between (SFI, FEP, +b, TA, TC and YE40) and (UHML, FUI, FBS, MIC, FM, LD, Rd, LCSP40 and SYS40).

A field trial was conducted through successive the two summer growing seasons 2018 and 2019 at Sakha Agricultural Research Station Farm, Kafr-El-Sheikh Governorate. The objective of this current study was to investigate the impact of three land leveling levels and three irrigation treatments on some water relationships, cotton yield and also some its components. The experiments were designed as split plot with three replications. The main plots were occupied by land leveling with three levels namely; traditional leveling farmers practices (L1), Dead level (0.0%) slope (L2) and 0.10% ground surface slope (L3). while sub plots were devoted t cut-off irrigation with three level namely, cut-off at 100% of furrow length (I1),cut-off irrigation at 90% of furrow length (I2) and cut-off irrigation at 80% furrow length(I3). The main results can be summarized as follows: Land leveling and cut-off irrigation treatments have highly significant effect on increasing the cotton yield. its components and fiber technological properties. The interaction between the two factors resulted in the highest values of cotton yield i.e. The highest mean values of seed cotton yield, boll weight, leaf area, plant height, lint percentage, lint index and seed index were obtained under I3 and L3 The highest mean values of fiber fineness, fiber strength, length 2.5%, length 50% and uniformity index were obtained from interaction between I3 and L3 . Cut-off irrigation at 80% from furrow length (I3) and 0.1%ground surface slope ( L3) decreased seasonal applied water, water consumptive use and water stored in the effective root zone by 20.11, 12.11 and 10.90%, respectively compared with cut-off irrigation at 100% of furrow length ( I1) and L1 (traditional land leveling). Also, the highest mean values of water application efficiency, water consumptive use efficiency (71.65, 67.84%) respectively were obtained with I3 and L3 treatments. The highest mean values of water productivity (WP) and productivity of irrigation water (PIW) were recorded under the I3 and L3.

Two field experiments were conducted at Sakha Agricultural Research Station at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, during the growing seasons of 2018 and 2019 to study the effect of planting dates and rates of nitrogen and potassium fertilization on growth and productivity of Giza 96 cotton variety to preparing the optimal agricultural recommendation for it. The experiment design was a split plot with four replications. The main plots had two planting dates (Early at 15th April and Late at 15th May) and the sub plots had four rates of nitrogen and potassium fertilization (125% from the recommended dose for nitrogen (N) + potassium (K), 100 % N + K, 75% N + K, 50% N + K). (The recommended dose 60kg Nitrogen/fed. + 24 kg Potassium/fed.) The most important results obtained could be summarized as follows: Planting dates had a significant effect on growth, yield and its components and fiber properties. Early planting date significantly increased No. of fruiting branches /plant, No. of open bolls /plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield/fed. and gave good fiber properties. The rates of nitrogen and potassium fertilization had significant effect on growth traits, yield and yield components while did not exhibit any significant effect on fiber properties. The rate 100% N+K (60 kg N+24kg K) significantly increased No. of fruiting branches /plant, No. of open bolls /plant, boll weight, seed index and seed cotton yield/fed. The interaction between planting dates and rates of nitrogen and potassium fertilization had significant effect on growth, yield and its components while did not exhibit any significant effect on lint % and fiber properties. Generally, early planting in combination with the rate100% N+K (60 kg N+24kg K) significantly increased number of fruiting branches /plant, number of open bolls /plant, boll weight, seed index and seed cotton yield/fed and gave high productivity of Egyptian cotton variety Giza 96.

A better understanding of genetic diversity in cotton cultivars is needed to make the most of the genetic resources and guarantee continuing improvements in the breeding programs. Our objective was to evaluate the genetic diversity among cotton genotypes from the top breeding programs in Brazil and recommend hybrid combinations that would increase variability. The field experiments we conducted on three cotton genotypes from each of the following Brazilian breeding programs: EMBRAPA, MONSANTO DELTAPINE, FIBERMAX, IMA, TMG and UFU. Several phenotypic evaluations were carried out at V5, B1, full flower and full maturity. Moderate genetic divergence was observed among the genotypes from these breeding programs. Hybridization of the BRS 433 FL B2RF and FM 980 GLT genotypes would likely produce segregating populations with greater genetic variability, yield potential, lint yield and desirable fiber quality. Maturity, micronaire and fiber length were the strongest contributors to genetic divergence.

Potassium (K) being the major limiting factor affecting cotton yield and quality has received massive research attention and the effects of various K fertilization techniques/organic amendments have been studied extensively. However, it is not clear whether the straw based, high pH biochar affects K availability, lint yield and quality of the cotton crop in alkaline calcareous soils. In the present study, we carried out a field experiment on a moderate to strongly calcareous silt loam soil to demonstrate the effect of straw-based biochar and potassium application levels on the growth, seed cotton yield and the lint quality. The experimental treatments comprised of two factors, A) biochar types i) Control no biochar, ii) Rice husk biochar (RHB), iii) Wheat straw biochar (WSB), and iv) Rice straw biochar (RSB), factor B) potassium application levels (i) control, no K fertilizer application, ii) K at 15 kg ha−1, and iii) K at 30 kg ha−1 (4 × 3 × 3, n = 36). Results showed that overall cotton growth and yield was significantly improved with increasing rates of potassium application. Three biochar sources affected seed cotton yield and quality with varying effects. For instance, the RSB increased plant height (11.71% to 22.47%), number of bolls per plant (0.74% to 13.75%), average boll weight (35.44% to 36.22%), the seed cotton yield was increased by 14.48% over the control when rice straw biochar was applied in combination with potassium at 30 kg ha−1. However, the ginning out turn (%) was declined with potassium application in combination with all three-biochar compared to control (no biochar addition). The WSB increased staple length and micronaire by 4.32% and 24.50% without potassium application. The potential effects of straw based biochar and potassium application on seed cotton yield and quality deserve further studies to identify the most suitable biochar as per soil chemical properties.

Two field experiments were carriedout in Sakha Agricultural Research Station at Kafr El-Sheikh Governorate, Egypt, during the growing seasons 2018 and 2019 to study the effect of weaning irrigation dates and spraying with drought tolerance materials on growth, earliness, yield and its components and fiber quality of cotton for Giza 94 cotton variety belonging to (Gossypium barbadense, L). The experimental design was a split plot with four replications. The main plots involved the four weaning irrigation dates (last irrigation dates) (control, after 4 irrigation, after 5 irrigation and after 6 irrigation after the first irrigation date), and the sub plots included drought tolerance materials (control without treatment, sprayed with K-Silicate, sprayed with K-Acetate and sprayed with Glycine betaine). The obtained results revealed that weaning irrigation after 4 irrigation from planting had significantly increased earliness % in both seasons. While, significantly decreased the days to first flower, days to first open boll in the both seasons compared with the other treatments. While, had significant effect on no. of open bolls/plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield/fed., were insignificantly affected seed index and lint % in both seasons. Spraying drought tolerance materials had a significant effect on plant height in both seasons, while did not exhibit significant effect on, first fruiting node, days to first flower, days to first open boll and earliness %.Yield and yield components traits were significantly affected by drought tolerance materials treatments except seed index and lint % in both seasons. Sprayed with Glycine betaine significantly increased no. of open bolls/plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield/fed. The weaning irrigation dates, spraying drought tolerance materials and the interaction between them did not exhibit significant effect on all fiber properties under study.It could be concluded that using weaning irrigation after six irrigation from planting and spraying drought tolerance materials with Glycine betaine at 600 g/fed. gave high productivity of cotton Giza 94.

Uzbekistan is bare of forests and it takes the fifth place in the world in terms of cotton production, and the third place in terms of silk production after China and India. According to the government program the expansion of the land area for mulberry plantations boosts the growth of silk production causing an increase in the total amount of wastes, i.e. branches of mulberry trees industrially useless after the removal of leaves. Their use as a raw material for the cellulose pulp production is relevant, since it is aimed at solving not only the resource, but also the environmental problem. The bark was cut off from the mulberry branches and soaked in water for some time after which its exterior hard layer was scraped off and divided into the rough exterior layer and the softer inner layer. The inner layer was boiled for several hours. The boiled bast, after washing with water, was grinded in a laboratory grinding machine under the following conditions: mass concentration – 1 %, temperature – 22 °С. A given amount of lint cotton cellulose (grinding degree – 45 °SR) was added to the grinded bast. Paper molds with the mass of 80 g/m2 were obtained in laboratory conditions using a sheet-making apparatus. It was found out that the obtained paper that contains cotton cellulose pulp and inner layer of mulberry branch bark has low whiteness which depends on whiteness of the added fibers. It has been established that adding the cellulose pulp of the inner layer of mulberry branch bark at a grinding degree of 30 °SR contributes to the production of strong paper. It is recommended to add up to 30 % of cellulose pulp from the inner layer of mulberry branch bark to paper pulp as further addition adversely affects the paper whiteness.For citation: Babakhanova Kh.A., Galimova Z.K., Abdunazarov M.M., Ismailov I.I. Cellulose Pulp from Mulberry Branch Bark for the Paper Industry. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2020, no. 5, pp. 193–200. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2020-5-193-200

The triple test cross analysis was used to study different components of genetic variation by using 75 triple test cross families and their parents, F1 and F2 in one cotton cross (Giza 95 x Australy) for yield, its components and fiber quality traits. The 75 TTC families (25L1, 25L2 and 25L3) were sown at Sakha Experimental Station; Agriculture Research Center, Kafr El-Sheikh government; Egypt. Mean squares between L1, L2 and L3 were highly significant for all traits studied, while between L1 and L2 Families found to be significant for boll weight, lint percentage, lint index, fiber length and micronaire reading. Overall epistatic gene effects were highly significant differences for all traits studied except for fiber length and fiber strength. The (i) fixable type (additive × additive) was the most important epistatic effect than j and 1 non-fixable type for all traits. Both additive and dominance components were highly significant for all the traits studied. The degree of dominance was less than unity and confirmed the presence of partial dominance for all traits studied except for lint yield/plant; lint index and seed index were over-dominance. The Additive gene action played an important role in controlling inheritance for all traits studied than dominance one except for lint yield/plant; lint index and seed index. Direction of dominance (r) was non-significant for most traits indicating absence of dominance directional. Due to influence of (i) type of epistatic effects for the majority of the studied traits selection in early generations may be recommended. Genotypic correlation was positive and significant between yield traits and its components. This could help cotton breeder to use indirect selection to increase yield traits. All the studied traits showed higher proportion of recombinants inbreds falling outside parental range nearly 40%. So, these higher values of prediction revealed that it would be feasible to predict as early as possible for transgressive segregation which can surpass parental range for most studied traits.

Field experiment was carried out through 2018 season and repeated through 2019 season at El-Gemmeiza Agricultural Research Station, El-Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. These experiments aimed to study the effect of three foliar sprays with chelated magnesium and/or zinc on productivity and quality of the Egyptian cotton cultivar Giza 86. Two levels (2 and 4 g of each nutrient/liter water (,in addition to the control treatment were used. The experimental design was a randomized complete blocks with 3 replications.The data indicated that combination between chelated magnesium and chelated zinc at the two levels used significantly increased the concentrations of Mg, Zn and photosynthetic pigments in the leaves in both seasons. In addition, combination between chelated magnesium and chelated zinc at the low level (2 g/liter water of each nutrient) significantly increased total dry weight/plant, leaf area index, plant height, number of fruiting branches/plant, number of total flowers/plant, number of total bolls set/plant, boll setting percentage, earliness percentage, number of open bolls/plant, boll weight, seed index, lint percentage and seed cotton yield/feddan, fiber length, uniformity index and fiber strength in both seasons. The control treatment recorded the lowest values of these traits and significantly increased boll shedding percentage. Micronaire reading was insignificantly affected. It could be concluded this combination three times to obtain the high quality and productivity and recommended the possibility of being applied by farmers to enhance cotton productivity in light of the lack of magnesium and zinc in the soil under conditions similar to El-Gemmeiza region.

The main objective of this study was to estimate and compare the genetic gain obtained from Simith-Hazel index model of selection index with direct and indirect selection to enhance selection efficiency of superior promising families in early segregating generations of the cotton cross Giza 86 x Karshenky. The data revealed increase in mean values for all characters with advanced generations' from F2 to F4 except micronaire reading which showed lower values (desirable values). This shifting in mean values in desirable direction could largely be attributed to the possible accumulation of favorable alleles as a result of selection procedures adapted in this study. The range was comparatively wider in F2 generation as compared with the later generationsF3 and F4 for all studied characters. The advanced generations (F3 and F4 generations) showed reduction in PCV and GCV values as compared with F2, this may due to reduction in genetic variability and heterozygosity as a result of using different selection procedures which exhausted a major part of variability. Most characters showed high heritability values over 60% over generations indicating high magnitude of genetic variability. Significant desirable correlations between boll weight and each of seed/boll and seed index were existed over the three generations. The significant undesirable association existed between seed cotton yield with most traits in F2 generation were broken up and converted to desirable relation in later generations. Principal component analysis grouped estimates variables into six main components. In the first PC1 yield characters (lint yield followed by (x1) and seed cotton yield/plant showed negative loading and more contributed than the other fiber characters which gave negative loadings. The PC2 was great influenced by seed index followed by lint/seed and boll weight which had positive loadings, in same time micronaire reading and fiber strength showed negative loadings. Ten out eleven selection indices were more efficient than direct selection for improvement of lint yield in F2 population. The highest predicted genetic gain from F2 generation for lint yield/plant was observed when selecting for lint yield/plant with bolls/plant (IW1) followed by (I12) selecting for boll/plant with seed/boll and selection index in involving selection index involving lint yield/plant, bolls/plant, seeds/boll and lint/seed. The highest actual genetic gains from F3 generation for lint yield/plant occurred when selecting directly for lint yield/plant followed by selecting for boll/plant. However the indices IW12 (selection index involving lint yield/plant, bolls/plant and seeds/boll) followed by IW13 (selection index involving lint yield/plant, bolls/plant and lint/seed) and IW3 (selection index involving lint yield/plant and lint/seed) were superior to all selection procedures in amount of actual gain. Most indices showed high discrepancy between predicted and actual genetic gain as lint yield/plant, this was due to non-additive gene effect and large effect of environmental factor. However maximum actual genetic advance from F4 generation for lint yield/plant were achieved when selecting for lint yield/plant, seeds/boll and lint/seed followed by selection indices containing lint yield/plant, boll/plant, seed/boll. The direct selection for lint yield and pedigree selection for boll/plant followed by selection for lint/ seed gave desirable actual values and surpassed most indices. selection index involving lint yield/plant and boll/plant surpassed all selection procedures for predicted gain followed by Selection index involving lint yield/plant, bolls/plant, seeds/boll and lint/seed. However direct selection for lint yield followed by pedigree selection for boll/plant appeared to be most effective for the improvement lint yield and gives reasonable actual gains. The predicted and actual advances determine from F3 generation were higher than F4 generation for most selection procedures. On the basis of various selection procedures, six selected families were isolated from F4 generation by superiority of these families from better parents, F3 families and point start of F2 plants mean. The breeder may utilize such selected families in breeding programs aiming to improve yield and quality.

Oxycarenus hyalinipennis Costa (Lygaeidae: Hemiptera) has attained the status of major insect pest drastically affecting the value and production of the cotton crop. The main objective of the study is to estimate losses caused by O. hyalinipennis (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 pairs release / boll) identified on boll weight, fiber characteristics (mike, staple length, staple strength, lint index and Ginning Out Turn), seed index and seed germination, under semi opened bolls of two Bt genotypes (MNH-886 and MNH-456). The offered O. hyalinipennis density is directly proportional to GOT while inversely proportional to boll weight, seed index, germination, lint index, mike, staple length and staple strength. All morphological parameters revealed highly significant but negative correlation with offered densities of O. hyalinipennis. Linear regression model showed that fiber characteristics affected significantly by O. hyalinipennis. Thus, a long term sustainable IPM strategy must be implemented to curtail this bug population under check.