Performance of cotton genotypes (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for yield and yield component traits under irrigated climatic conditions of Ethiopia

The present study was conducted to test the performance of cotton genotypes for yield and yield components from 2011 to 2013 cropping season at different cotton growing agro-ecologies in the country. Eleven cotton genotypes along with three check varieties were examined at three locations in RCBD under three replications. The genotypes manifested highly significant differences (p≤0.01) for plant height, bolls per plant, boll weight, seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and lint yield. The data indicated that higher seed cotton yield, lint yield and ginning outturn were obtained from cotton genotype Arba × Cucurova 1518 F5#1-3/3 at Weyto. Guru F5#1-2 genotype performed higher bolls per plant and seed cotton yield at Weyto but the value of seed cotton yield was lower than that of best performed check varieties. And also, the maximum seed cotton yield was recorded in Stam 59A × ICA 01 bulk and Sanju F5#9-2-1 cotton genotypes at Werer. It is concluded that the higher mean performance of seed cotton yield and more lint yield were obtained in cotton genotypes Guru F5#1-2, Sanju F5#9-2-1 and Arba × Cucurova 1518 F5#1-3/3 than that of check varieties. Moreover, Arba × Cucurova 1518 F5#1-4/3 genotype performed maximum boll weight, ginning outturn and lint yield than the check varieties. Therefore, genotypes Guru F5#1-2, Sanju F5#9-2-1, Arba × Cucurova 1518 F5#1-4/3 and Arba × Cucurova 1518 F5#1-3/3 recommended to use for their performed traits.