This study was conducted for evaluation of eleven cotton genotypes for morpho-phenological and fiber characteristics under two different growing environments in rain fed condition at research stations of Finkolo (11°16′5″N 5°30′40″W) and N’Tarla (12°35'N 5°42’W) during 2018. The experiment was laid out RCBD with four replications. The analysis of variance revealed the presence of significant differences among genotypes and recorded wide range of variations for morpho-phenological traits such as insertion node of the first sympodia, number of monopodia per plant, number of sympodia per plant, days to 50% maturity, number of bolls per plant, boll weight and plant height over environments. The analysis of variance indicated significant variability among the genotypes for days to 50% flower, seed cotton yield, ginning out-turn and seed index, but do not indicated variability between the locations. The genotypes BRS-293 and Y-331-B recorded the best mean seed cotton yield across locations, whereas genotypes NTA-P35 exhibited best lint yield across two environments. For fiber traits, the analysis revealed significant variability among the genotypes, and sites for all observed traits. The genotypes FK-64 and BRS-293 produced suitable fiber length while suitable fiber color grade was produced by NTA-P35 and NTA-P37 at across locations. These results suggest that any improvements of morpho-phenological traits and fiber qualities in cotton germplasm brought about through contributions of genotypes and favorable environmental conditions.

1. Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for Seed and Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali
IJPBCS
Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for Seed and
Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under
Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali
Sory Sissoko1,2*, Elhadji Mamoudou Kassambara2, Mamadou Oumar Diawara1,2, Gassiré
Bayoko2 and Mamadou Mory Coulibaly3
1Département de Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques (FST), Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des
Technologies de Bamako (USTTB) Mali, BP. E 3206. Bamako, Mali
2Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER), Programme Coton, Centre Régional de Recherche Agronomique (CRRA) de Sikasso,
BP : 16 Sikasso, Mali
3Institut d’Economie Rurale (IER), Programme Maïs, Centre Régional de Recherche Agronomique (CRRA) de Sotuba,
BP : 262 Bamako, Mali
This study was conducted for evaluation of eleven cotton genotypes for morpho-phenological
and fiber characteristics under two different growing environments in rain fed condition at
research stations of Finkolo (11°16′5″N 5°30′40″W) and N’Tarla (12°35'N 5°42’W) during 2018.
The experiment was laid out RCBD with four replications. The analysis of variance revealed
the presence of significant differences among genotypes and recorded wide range of
variations for morpho-phenological traits such as insertion node of the first sympodia, number
of monopodia per plant, number of sympodia per plant, days to 50% maturity, number of bolls
per plant, boll weight and plant height over environments. The analysis of variance indicated
significant variability among the genotypes for days to 50% flower, seed cotton yield, ginning
out-turn and seed index, but do not indicated variability between the locations. The genotypes
BRS-293 and Y-331-B recorded the best mean seed cotton yield across locations, whereas
genotypes NTA-P35 exhibited best lint yield across two environments. For fiber traits, the
analysis revealed significant variability among the genotypes, and sites for all observed traits.
The genotypes FK-64 and BRS-293 produced suitable fiber length while suitable fiber color
grade was produced by NTA-P35 and NTA-P37 at across locations. These results suggest that
any improvements of morpho-phenological traits and fiber qualities in cotton germplasm
brought about through contributions of genotypes and favorable environmental conditions.
Keywords: cotton, genotype, morpho-phenological, fiber, environment
INTRODUCTION
Cotton, (Gossypium hirsutum L.) is a fiber plant of the
genus Gossypium and belongs to family Malvaceae and
tribe Gossypieae, which includes about 50 species, out of
which four species (or group) are cultivated for their
spinnable fibre (Gotmare et al. 2015). The first group,
Gossypium hirsutum, upland cotton, native to Central
America, Mexico, the Caribbean and southern Florida
(90% of world production). Second group, G.
barbadense, known as extra-long staple (ELS) cotton,
native to tropical South America (8% of world production).
*Corresponding Author: Sory Sissoko; Département de
Biologie, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques (FST),
Université des Sciences, des Techniques et des
Technologies de Bamako (USTTB) Mali, BP. E 3206
Email: sorysis@yahoo.fr
Sory et al. 875
International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science
Vol. 7(3), pp. 874-883, October, 2020. © www.premierpublishers.org, ISSN: 2167-0449
Research Article

2. Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for Seed and Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali
Third group, G. arboreum, tree cotton, native to India and
Pakistan (less than 2%); embraces cottons of shorter
length, ½ to 1 inch. And fourth group, G. herbaceum,
Levant cotton, native to southern Africa and the Arabian
Peninsula (less than 2%) also embraces cottons of shorter
length, ½ to 1 inch (Texier, 1993). The cotton fiber is
almost pure cellulose and occurs naturally in colors of
white, brown, pink and green.
Cotton, the “white gold” or the ‘king of the fiber’ accounts
for 75 % of the fiber used in textile industry and contributes
significantly to the Malian’s GDP. Mali was West Africa’s
biggest cotton producer in 2018-2019 with a record
harvest of more than 700 000 tons (FAOSTAT 2019; BCI,
2019). Cotton is predominantly cultivated in more than
hundred countries of the world with the major share from
USA, China, India and Pakistan (Bakhsh et al. 2019). It is
said to be a problematic crop because all the biotic and
abiotic factors cause yield losses in cotton (Choudhury et
al. 2017; Nachimuthu and Webb, 2017).
The morpho-phenological and fiber development is
affected by the incidents of pest and diseases, moisture
stress and environmental variabilities as rainfall and
temperature that causes higher cost of cultivation and low
farm profitability. So to overcome the above agronomic
problems, selection of the morphological characters are
important aspects to improving the performance of cotton
genotypes. The main objective of this study was to
evaluate eleven cotton varieties for both morpho-
phenological and fiber characteristics under two different
growing environments in rain fed condition.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The current research was conducted under controlled
conditions, during the growing season of 2018, in two
major cotton growing environments in Mali. The
experimental agronomic research stations of Finkolo
(southern and wet area), situated in the sudano-guinean
zone, at the latitude of 11°16'5” North and longitude of
5°30'40” West and research stations of N’Tarla (central
northern and dry area) situated in the Sahelo-Sudanian
zone at the latitude of 12°35' north and longitude of 5°42’
west (Figure 1)
.
Figure 1: Cotton growing zones in Mali (source PASE II R&D 2018)
The seasonal rainfall average of experimental sites during
the study period is presented in Figure 2. The stations of
Finkolo recorded an annually cumulative rainfall of 1185.5
mm, whereas N’Tarla station received a total rain fall of

3. Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for Seed and Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali
718.7 mm during growing seasons of 2018. The months
were wet in Finkolo location then N’Tarla.
Figure 2: Average seasonal Rain fall (mm) of experimental sites during the study period 2018 year (Source: Station
météo de Finkolo et de N’Tarla, 2018).
Eleven cotton genotypes including BRS 293 (1st check),
NTA 88-6 (2nd check), FK 140, FK 64, NTA P35, NTA P37,
NTA P38, NTA P40, NTA P41, W 766-A and Y 331-B were
evaluated under two environments in rain-fed condition
using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four
replications (blocks).
Data were collected for traits including plant height,
number of sympodia (fruiting branches) per plant, number
of monopodia (vegetative branches) per plant, insertion
node of the first sympodia, plant density per hectare, days
to 50% flower, days to 50% Maturity, number of bolls per
plant, boll weight, micronaire, fiber length, uniformity index,
fiber strength, fiber elongation, reflectance degree,
yellowness, seed index, ginning out turn (%) and seed
cotton yield per hectare.
The data collected were analyzed using GENSTAT 15th
edition. Significance of differences for analysis of variance
were detected as ** = p < 0.01 and * = p < 0.05.
Significance of differences among genotypes under
different environments were determined using Fisher’s
protected LSD at α = 0.05, this analyses was completed
with Duncan's multiple range test (DMRT) approach for
separation of means.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Mean performance of morpho-phenological traits
Insertion Node of the first Sympodia (fruiting
branches) (INFS)
The variance analyses across two locations (Finkolo and
N’Tarla), for INFS showed highly significant differences for
the two sites and between the genotypes but do not reveal
any significant differences for interaction sites x genotypes
(Table 1). The average Insertion Node of the first
Sympodial branches (INFS) is 6.6, cotton genotype Y 331-
B was identified with minimum INFS (6.2) and the
maximum value of INFS was identified with the genotype
NTA P35 (7.2). Nevertheless the effect of genotype on
INFS was recorded highly significant (P=0.01) among
different genotype in Finkolo research station (Table 2).
The genotype FK 64 recorded minimum INFS (5.3) and
NTA P35 recorded maximum (6.6). It was reported by Glen
et al. (2007) that the first fruiting branch will generally arise
at main stem node 5 or 6. In N’Tarla research station, no

4. Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for Seed and Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali
significant effect of genotype on INFS (Table 2) was
recorded. The average mean of INFS was lower in Finkolo
(6.0) then N’Tarla (7.3). Bourgou and Sanfo (2012)
observed an average of 5.14 number of nodes of insertion
of the first fruiting branch at Farako-Ba research station in
Burkina Faso.
Number of monopodia (vegetative branches) per plant
(NM/PL)
For number of vegetative branches, the variance analyses
across two locations (Finkolo and N’Tarla) showed highly
significant differences for between the two sites and
between the genotypes but do not reveal any significant
differences for interaction sites x genotypes (Table 1). The
genotype NTA P41 was recorded lower number of
monopodia (1.9) and NTA P35 with higher number (2.8)
across two locations. In the Finkolo and N’Tarla stations,
the study noted significant difference (P=0.015) between
the genotypes (Table 2). NTA P41 produced the lowest
number of monopodia (1.5) and the genotypes NTA P35
and NTA 88-6 produced the highest number of monopodia
(2.5) at Finkolo research station. NTA P41 and NTA P40
produced the lowest number of monopodia (2.2) in
N’Tarla, whereas the genotypes NTA P38 and NTA P35
showed the highest number of monopodia (3.0). The
average mean of monopodia was lower at Finkolo (2.0),
and then at N’Tarla (2.7).
In the present study, generally all of the genotypes showed
lowest number of monopodia (maximum 3) compared to
results of Manjula et al. (2004), they observed 4.0
monopodia in G. herbaceum genotypes and Tuteja et al.
(2006) recorded 4.77 monopodia per plant. The varieties
with lower monopodia or zero monopodia are suitable for
machine harvesting (Suresh and Katageri, 2018).
Number of sympodia (fruiting branches) per plant
(NS/PL)
The effects of genotype and site on sympodial branches
per plant recorded was significant (P = 0.05 and P = 0.01
respectively) across locations (Table 1). Genotype BRS
293 recorded minimum number of sympodial branches per
plant (9.2) and maximum for variety NTA P41 (12.2). The
study noted maximum number of sympodial branches per
plant at Finkolo research station (12.9) and minimum at
N’Tarla (9.2) (Table 2), probably due to the good monthly
rainfall in the Finkolo area (Figure 2). The branches from
which fruiting buds arise are called fruiting branches, or
sympodia and hence directly influence the seed cotton
yield. Normally a cotton plant can have around 5 to 25
sympodial branches (Suresh and Katageri, 2018). Fruiting
branches have a “zig-zag” growth habit, as opposed to the
straight growth habit of the vegetative branches.
Vegetative branches are produced after fruiting branches,
and develop at nodes directly below the node at which the
first fruiting branch was developed (Glen et al, 2007).
Number of bolls per plant (NB/PL)
The number of bolls is an important trait for the genotype
which determines its yielding ability. In the present study,
mean value recorded for number of bolls across two
locations and all genotypes was 6.5 (Table 1) and
genotypes BRS 293, FK 140 and FK 64 were recorded
higher number of bolls (7.3). The genotype NTA P41
recorded was lower in number of bolls (4.9). The variety
NTA P41 has highest value of sympodia but obtain lowest
value of number of bolls, this may be due to the
phenomenon of square shedding. The average mean of
number of bolls was lower in Finkolo (5.9) then N’Tarla
(7.0) (Table 2). This result can be due to the abundance of
rainfall recorded in August (293.5 mm) and September
(209.4 mm) months in Finkolo (Figure 2) which produced
the flowers and squares shedding. Cetin and Basbag
(2010) noted that the continuous rain during flowering and
boll opening will impair pollination and reduce fiber quality.
Heavy rainfall during flowering causes flower buds and
young bolls to fall. Study noted that the genotypes
produced very lower number of bolls compared with
results of Bakhsh et al. 2019 they found 42.5 bolls under
well water condition in variety Zakariya-1 and 40.5 bolls in
NIAB-1048; in stressed conditions they found 25.4 and
23.7 bolls respectively in Zakariya-1 and NIAB-1048.
Boll weight (BW)
Boll weight is considered as a significant trait that directly
influences the final yield of cotton (Bakhsh et al. 2019). In
across location, the boll weights of genotypes were
statistically non-significant. The maximum mean bolls
weight was observed in genotype NTA P35 (4.5g) (Table
1). A significant statistical differences (p = 0.01) was
observed in sites (Table 2). The mean bolls weight at
Finkolo location revealed highest (4.5g) than N’Tarla
location (3.8g). The genotypes with maximum bolls weight
at Finkolo and N’Tarla locations were as follows,
respectively:
NTA P35 (5.3g) and FK 140 (4.3). Bakhsh et al. 2019 they
found 3.9g and 3.2g bolls weight under well water
condition respectively in variety Zakariya-1 and NIAB-
1048. According to Suresh and Katageri (2018), the lines
with big bolls are preferred because of ease in hand
picking, it also helps in reducing cost and time involved in
manual harvesting.
Plant height (PLH)
Statistical results of mean plant height represent
significant differences (p = 0.05 and p = 0.01) in all
genotypes and sites across locations (Table 1). The
genotype W 766-A exhibited maximum mean plant height
154 cm as compared to FK 140 with minimum mean plant
height 124.8 cm (Table 1). The study revealed the
maximum mean plant height 141.6 cm of genotypes at
Finkolo location (Table 2). The variety W 766-A recorded
the best mean plant height at the two locations with 156
and 153 cm respectively in Finkolo and N’Tarla (Table 2).

5. Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for Seed and Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali
Plant height is the important trait in determining the plant
architecture suggesting its importance in high density
planting and for mechanical harvesting (Suresh and
Katageri, 2018).
Days to 50% flower (DF50%) and 50% Maturity
(DM50%)
The variance analyses conducted on the Days to 50%
flower revealed highly significant differences between the
varieties, whereas Days to 50% Maturity do not reveal any
significant differences between the varieties across
locations (Table 1). Cotton genotype NTA P37 (53.4 days)
was identified with minimum days to 50% flower formation
across locations. And the varieties FK 140 (113.8 days)
and BRS 293 (114.2 days) were identified with minimum
days to 50% Maturity across locations (Table 1). The
minimum average mean days to 50% Maturity of cotton
genotypes was obtained at N’Tarla location (112.6 days)
(Table 2).
Early flowering and maturing cotton genotypes are
required in central northern cotton production zone of Mali
due to short length of the rainy season (IER, 2008).
Seed cotton yield (SCY)
The analysis of variance indicated presence of highly
significant variability among the genotypes for all yield
traits across two locations, but did not indicate variability
between sites. The data on mean and range for yield traits
are presented in Table 1 represent performance of
genotypes. The variety BRS 293 recorded the best mean
seed cotton yield (2036 kg/ha) followed by Y 331-B (1928
kg/ha). The varieties NTA P41 and NTA P40 exhibit lowest
yield traits respectively 1372 and 1452 kg/ha. Bourgou and
Sanfo (2012) in Burkina Faso and Kassambara et al.
(2019) in Mali also found the superiority for seed cotton
yield of Brazilian cotton genotype BRS 293 compare with
several African cotton genotypes in major cotton
production zones in Burkina Faso and Mali.
Ginning outturn (GOT) and Seed index (SI).
The analysis of variance showed presence of significant
variability (p = 0.05 and p =0.01) among the genotypes for
ginning outturn (lint yield) and seed index traits across two
locations, but do not indicate variability between sites
(Table 1). Three genotypes all from N’Tarla research
station germplasm viz., NTA P35 (43.3%), NTA P40 (42.2
%) and NTA P37 (42.1%) recorded best ginning outturn.
The maximum value of seed index was recorded with
genotypes: W 766-A (8.5g), NTA P41 (8.4g), NTA P37
(8.4g) NTA P35 (8.3g) and FK 140 (8.3g). Hence moderate
seed index about 8 to 10 g is desirable to achieve higher
seed cotton yield and ginning outturn (Suresh and Katageri
2018). The present study notes in general the good
behavior of germplasm from N’Tarla research station for
lint yield and seed index traits. This result confirmed
findings Kassambara et al. (2019) where all germplasm
from N’Tarla research station had best lint yield in
comparison with BRS 293. According to Suresh and
Katageri, (2018) the ginning outturn depicts the potential
of genotype to yield lint which is a raw material for textile
industry. Hence genotype with high ginning outturn is
considered to be good. The lines with high ginning outturn
and high seed cotton yield are preferred by breeder in
order to sustain the interest of farmers and textile industry
(ginning factories) (Preissel, 2011).
Table 1: Mean and range for different morpho-phenological traits in cotton (G. hirsutum) germplasm evaluated
during 2018 across two locations (Finkolo and N’Tarla)
Genotype INFS NM/PL NS/PL NB/PL BW(g) PLH(cm) DF 50%(day) DM 50% (day) SCY (kg/ha) GOT (%) SI (g)
BRS 293 6.7abcd 2.5abc 9.2c 7.3a 4.3ab 126c 56.3ab 114.2b 2036a 41.4bc 8.0cd
NTA 88-6 6.9ab 2.7ab 12.0ab 6.3abc 3.9ab 137bc 55.8ab 115.2ab 1565de 40.8bc 7.9d
FK 140 6.7abc 2.4bcd 11.0abc 7.3a 4.4ab 124c 53.6cd 113.8b 1838abcd 39.8c 8.3ab
FK 64 6.2de 2.1de 11.6abc 7.2a 4.1ab 134bc 53.7cd 114.2b 1925abc 40.1bc 7.9d
NTA P35 7.2a 2.8a 11.8ab 6.2abc 4.5a 143ab 56.0ab 116.5ab 1802abcd 43.3a 8.3ab
NTA P37 6.6bcde 2.2cde 9.9abc 6.2abc 3.8b 123c 53.4d 115.5ab 1542de 42.1ab 8.4ab
NTA P38 6.9abc 2.5abc 11.8ab 6.8ab 4.1ab 144ab 54.7bcd 114.8a 1841abcd 41.2bc 8.2bc
NTA P40 6.6bcde 2.1de 11.8ab 5.6bc 4.0ab 138bc 55.0bcd 115.2ab 1452e 42.2ab 8.0cd
NTA P41 6.5cde 1.9e 12.2a 4.9c 4.4ab 146ab 54.6bcd 117.2a 1372e 41.6abc 8.4ab
W 766-A 6.8abc 2.5abc 10.7abc 6.3abc 3.8b 154a 56.8a 116.5ab 1599de 40.9bc 8.5a
Y 331-B 6.2e 2.3bcd 9.6bc 7.0ab 4.3ab 132bc 55.1bc 114.9ab 1928ab 41.1bc 7.6e
Grand mean 6.6 2.4 11.1 6.5 4.2 136.5 55.0 115.3 1718 41.3 8.2
CV % 6.3 14.4 19.0 20.2 13.9 10.3 1.44 2.2 17.1 4.2 2.9
SE 0.15 0.12 0.74 0.46 0.21 4.97 0.51 0.89 103.8 0.61 0.10
LSD 0.42 0.34 2.10 1.30 0.58 14.02 1.44 2.52 293.2 1.72 0.23
Genotype ** ** * ** ns ** ** ns ** * **
Site ** ** ** ** ** ** Ns ** ns ns ns
Genotype*Site ns ns ns ns ns ns Ns ns ns ns ns
NFS = Insertion Node of the first Sympodial branches, NM/PL = Number of monopodia per plant, NS/PL = Number of
sympodia per plant, DF50% = Days to 50% flower, DM50% = Days to 50% Maturity, NB/PL = Number of bolls per plant,
BW = Boll weight, PLH = Plant height, SCY = Seed cotton yield, GOT = Ginning outturn, SI = Seed index. SE = Standard
Error, LSD: least significant difference, CV%: Coefficient of variation expressed in percent. * Significant at the 0.05
probability level, ** Significant at the 0.01 probability level, ns: not significant.
a, b, c, d, e, f: the mean values followed by a common letter in the respective column do not differ by LSD 0.05.

6. Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for Seed and Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali
Sory et al. 879
Table 2: Mean and range for different morphological traits in cotton (G. hirsutum) germplasm evaluated during
2018 at Finkolo (FINK) and N’Tarla (NTA)
Genotype INFS NM/PL NS/PL DM50% NB/PL BW PLH
FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA
BRS 293 6.0bcd 7.4ab 2.2ab 2.8ab 10.1a 8.3bc 118.0abc 110.5a 6.4abc 8.1a 4.9ab 3.7bc 130ab 121d
NTA 88-6 6.4ab 7.4ab 2.5a 2.8ab 13.7a 10.2ab 118.0abc 112.5 a 5.6abc 7.1abc 4.0ab 3.7bc 143ab 132bcd
FK 140 5.8cde 7.6a 1.9abc 2.8ab 12.9a 9.1abc 116.0c 111.5 a 7.9a 6.8abc 4.6ab 4.3a 126b 121d
FK 64 5.3e 7.1ab 1.7bc 2.6abc 13.8a 9.4abc 116.5bc 112.0 a 6.8ab 7.6ab 4.4ab 3.8abc 142ab 126cd
NTA P35 6.6a 7.7a 2.5a 3.0a 13.8a 9.7abc 119.0abc 114.0 a 5.6abc 6.8abc 5.3a 3.8abc 152ab 134bcd
NTA P37 6.0bcd 7.2ab 1.8bc 2.5bc 11.8a 8.0bc 117.5abc 113.5 a 5.2bc 7.2abc 4.2ab 3.4c 126b 119d
NTA P38 6.3abc 7.4ab 2.1abc 3.0a 14.0a 9.5abc 118.0abc 111.5 a 6.0abc 7.6ab 4.4ab 3.8abc 145ab 142abc
NTA P40 6.0bcd 7.3ab 1.9abc 2.2c 13.5a 10.1ab 117.5abc 113.0 a 5.4abc 5.9bc 4.4ab 3.7bc 149ab 127cd
NTA P41 5.8cde 7.1ab 1.5c 2.2c 13.3a 11.0a 120.0a 114.5 a 4.1c 5.7c 4.6ab 4.1ab 148ab 144ab
W 766-A 6.1abcd 7.5ab 2.0abc 2.9ab 12.9a 8.5bc 119.5ab 113.5 a 5.9abc 6.6abc 3.9b 3.7bc 156a 153a
Y 331-B 5.6de 6.8b 1.9abc 2.7ab 11.7a 7.5c 118.0abc 111.8 a 6.4abc 7.6ab 5.0ab 3.8bc 140ab 124d
Grand mean 6.0 7.3 2.0 2.7 12.9 9.2 118.0 112.6 5.9 7.0 4.5 3.8 141.6 131.4
CV % 5.9 6.5 18.9 10.9 20.4 15.1 1.6 2.7 25.6 15.0 16.6 8.8 12.0 7.9
SE 0.18 0.33 0.19 0.21 1.31 1.00 0.921 2.15 0.76 0.74 0.37 0.24 8.48 7.31
LSD 0.51 0.68 0.55 0.43 3.77 2.00 2.65 4.39 2.20 1.51 1.08 0.48 24.40 14.88
Genotypes ** ns * * ns * Ns Ns ns Ns ns ns ns **
INFS = Insertion Node of the first Sympodial branches, NM/PL = Number of monopodia per plant, NS/PL = Number of
sympodia per plant, DM50% = Days to 50% Maturity, NB/PL = Number of bolls per plant, BW = Boll weight, PLH = Plant
height, SE = Standard Error, LSD: least significant difference, CV%: Coefficient of variation expressed in percent.
* Significant at the 0.05 probability level, ** Significant at the 0.01 probability level, ns: not significant.
a, b, c, d, e, f: the mean values followed by a common letter in the respective column do not differ by LSD 0.05.
Mean performance of fiber traits
Data in Tables 3 and 4 revealed significant variability (p =
0.05 and p = 0.01) among the genotypes, sites and
interaction genotypes*sites in all observed fiber traits.
Upper Half Mean Length (UHML) or Fiber length
The importance of fiber length to textile processing is
significant. Longer fibers produce stronger yarns that allow
for more valuable end products. Longer fibers also enable
higher spinning speeds (Kassambara et al., 2019). Data
pertaining to fiber length (mm) of the eleven genotypes
across locations are given in Tables 3. The genotypes FK
64 produced the highest fiber length averages (29.7mm)
followed by BRS 293 (29.0mm). In contrast, the lowest
averages were produced by NTA 88-6 (26.8mm) and Y
331-B (27.5mm). Data in Tables 4 revealed that the
highest fiber length mean was observed at the N’Tarla
research station (28.5mm). FK 64 has the highest fiber
length at the N’Tarla location (31.2mm), whereas in
Finkolo the highest fiber lengths was produced by BRS
293 (30.1mm). The fiber length of genotypes in this study
can be classify among medium-long (26.0 mm - 28.0 mm)
and long (29.0 mm. - 34.0 mm) according to cotton upland
staple classes (Bradow and Davidonis, 2000)
Uniformity Index (UI) or fiber length uniformity
Length uniformity affects yarn evenness and strength, and
the efficiency of the spinning process (USDA, 2001).
Genotypes FK 64 (82.8%) and FK 140 (82.1%) achieved
higher uniformity index across locations and the lowest
uniformity index was observed for NTA 88-6 (79.7%)
(Table 3). Data pertaining to uniformity Index, in table 4, at
Finkolo showed that the best value was achieved with NTA
P38 (82.6). Other genotypes that attained higher values for
UI at N’Tarla location were FK 64 (83.6%), FK 140
(83.5%), NTA 88-6 (82.6%) and NTA P41 (82.2%). The
length uniformity will always be less than 100. The length
uniformity of genotypes in this study can be classified
among Intermediate (80 – 82%) and High (83 – 85%)
according to USDA, (2001).
Micronaire (MIC)
Micronaire is a composite measure of maturity and fiber
fineness since fiber cells with the same wall width can have
different micronaire values (Benedict et al. 1999). In table
3 the higher micronaire values were obtained with varieties
NTA 88-6 (4.7) and Y 331-B (4.3), the low micronaire value
with NTA P35 (3.7). The average micronaire value was
greater at Finkolo than N’Tarla locations respectively 4.4
and 3.6 (Table 4). At Finkolo location the higher micronaire
values were obtained with BRS 293 (4.9) and Y 331-B
(4.8); the low micronaire value was observed with variety
NTA P35 (3.4). At N’Tarla location variety NTA 88-6
obtained noteworthy micronaire value (5.0), this value is
among coarse fiber class (4.7 - 5.5). Except variety NTA
P35 (3.9) in medium fiber class (3.8 - 4.6), all remaining
genotypes are among fine fiber class (2.9 - 3.7) according
to rating of fineness

7. of given by CSITC et al. (2010). It is generally considered
that both too-low and too-high micronaire cottons should
be avoided, the ideal range being between about 3.8 and
4.2 for American Upland type cotton (Estur, 2008).
Fiber Strength (STR)
Fiber strength is a key quality parameter in cotton that has
ultimate impact on durability of the fiber during harvesting,
ginning and manufacturing of the yarn (Bakhsh et al.
2019). Data in table 3 revealed highest fiber strength in
genotypes NTA P40 (30.5g/tex) and NTA P41 (30.4g/tex)
and lowest fiber strength in genotypes NTA 88-6
(27.5g/tex) and NTA P35 (28.0g/tex). The genotypes BRS
293, FK 140, NTA P35 and NTA P41 at Finkolo location
(Table 4), were genotypes with higher fiber strength and
among strong fiber class (29 - 30g/tex). At N’Tarla location
four genotypes were identified with noteworthy fiber
strength among very strong class of fiber (31g /tex and
above); the remaining genotypes were among strong (29 -
30g/tex) and average 26 - 28g/tex) fiber class according to
USDA, (2001).
Fiber elongation (EL)
Fiber elongation is a key cotton fiber trait that directly
affects yarn and fabric strength and extensibility (Zia et al.
2018). In across locations (Table 3) genotypes with
highest percentage fiber elongation were Y 331-B (5.9%)
followed by NTA 88-6 (5.6%) while the lowest fiber
elongation 4.5% reported in NTA P40. The best
percentages fiber elongation were achieved with
genotypes Y 331-B, W 766 - A and NTA 88-6 respectively
6.1%, 5.8% and 5.7% at Finkolo location (Table 4).
Whereas at N’Tarla location the best percentages fiber
elongation were achieved with genotypes Y 331-B (5.6%),
BRS 293 (5.6%) and NTA 88-6 (5.5%). Zia et al. (2018),
found highest elongation score (12.9 %) in B1-37 cotton
genotype and the lowest fiber elongation (10%) in
genotype B-318-A at National Agricultural Research
Centre (NARC) Islamabad during the year 2015 and 2016.
The textile industry is also more exigent with regard to the
fiber elongation, the ideal value should be ≥ 6% (Estur,
2008).
Reflectance degree (Rd) or whiteness and yellowness
(+b)
The color grade is determined by the degree of reflectance
(Rd) and yellowness (+b). Reflectance indicates how
bright or dull a sample is and yellowness indicates the
degree of color pigmentation (USDA, 2001). Cotton lint
color is one of the most important properties that determine
the price of cotton. Fiber reflectance and yellowness
values obtained in across locations can be seen in Table
3. The mean fiber reflectance value being 78.3%, and the
highest fiber reflectance value was obtained for NTA P35
(80.7%), whereas the lowest fiber reflectance value was
obtained for NTA 88-6 (74.4%). The results also showed
that the fiber yellowness mean value being 8.7%, and the
highest fiber yellowness value was obtained for W 766 - A
(10.0), whereas the lowest fiber yellowness value was
obtained for NTA P37 (7.4). Data in Tables 4 showed
mean fiber reflectance and yellowness value of genotypes
at Finkolo and N’Tarla. The average fiber reflectance value
at N’Tarla (80.7%) was higher than Finkolo (75.8%). At
Finkolo location the highest fiber reflectance value was
achieved for NTA P35 (80.4%), although the lowest fiber
reflectance value was obtained for W 766 - A (73.6%). At
N’Tarla the highest value was obtained for FK 140 (83.2%)
and lowest for NTA 88-6 (75.2%). For fiber yellowness the
highest average was observed at Finkolo and variety W
766 - A achieved the maximum value (10.5) and minimum
value was achieved for NTA P37 (7.5). The variety W 766
- A, at N’Tarla location, also provided maximum value fiber
yellowness (9.5) and the lowest with FK 140 (7.1). The
study noted the superior color grade (degree of reflectance
and yellowness) at N’Tarla location. Probably this
phenomena can be due to the moderate rainfall recorded
in this place in contrast to the abundance of rainfall
recorded in August and September, which overlapped with
the bolls opening that affected the fiber color grade at
Finkolo (Figure 2). Similarly, continuous rain during boll
opening may thus reduce fiber quality (Cetin and Basbag
2010). The classification in terms of fiber reflectance
(whiteness) revealed that the reflectance of all varieties
used in the study was in the “70-80: light” group; and
considering the mean fiber yellowness values obtained in
the study, all varieties were in the “4 – 10.5: white or
slightly yellow” group (Anonymous, 1997). This shows that
all cotton varieties used in the study are suitable for use in
the textile industry (Estur, 2008).
Table 3: Mean and range for different fiber traits in cotton (G. hirsutum) germplasm evaluated during 2018 across
two locations (Finkolo and N’Tarla)
Genotype UHML (mm) UI (%) MIC STR (g/tex) EL (%) Rd (%) +b
BRS 293 29.0b 81.4d 4.2bc 29.9b 4.9f 78.4d 8.7e
NTA 88-6 26.8h 79.7g 4.7a 27.5g 5.6b 74.4h 9.3b
FK 140 28.6d 82.1b 3.9e 29.4c 5.0e 79.3c 8.0g
FK 64 29.7a 82.8a 3.8ef 30.4a 4.8h 79.2c 8.4f
NTA P35 27.6g 80.6f 3.7g 28.0f 5.3c 80.7a 8.5f
NTA P37 28.4e 81.6cd 4.0d 28.3e 4.8h 79.8b 7.4h
NTA P38 28.3e 81.6cd 4.1cd 28.7d 5.1de 78.2e 9.1c

8. NTA P40 28.9c 80.7f 3.8ef 30.5a 4.5i 78.4d 9.1c
NTA P41 28.0f 81.5d 3.8ef 30.4a 5.2c 77.8f 8.9d
W 766 - A 28.0f 80.6f 4.0d 28.5e 5.3c 76.8g 10.0a
Y 331-B 27.5g 81.3de 4.3b 29.7b 5.9a 77.8f 8.7e
Grand mean 28.2 81.3 4.0 29.2 5.1 78.3 8.7
CV % 0.4 0.2 1.0 0.7 1.2 0.2 0.4
SE 0.1 0.1 0.04 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.03
LSD 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1
Genotypes ** ** * ** ** ** **
Site ** ** ** ** ** ** **
Genotypes*Site ** ** ** ** ** ** **
UHML = Upper Half Mean Length, UI = Uniformity Index, MIC = Micronaire, STR = Fiber Strength, EL = Fiber elongation,
Rd = Reflectance degree, +b = Yellowness, SE = Standard Error, LSD: least significant difference, CV%: Coefficient of
variation expressed in percent. * Significant at the 0.05 probability level, ** Significant at the 0.01 probability level.
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i: the mean values followed by a common letter in the respective column do not differ by LSD 0.05
Table 4: Mean and range for different fiber traits in cotton (G. hirsutum) germplasm evaluated during 2018 at
Finkolo (FINK) and N’Tarla (NTA)
Genotype UHML (mm) UI (%) MIC STR (g/tex) EL (%) Rd ((%) +b
FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA FINK NTA
BRS 293 30.1a 28.0f 82.5a 80.3g 4.9a 3.4ef 30.3a 29.5d 4.2g 5.6a 75.8e 80.9f 9.3e 8.2g
NTA 88-6 25.4g 28.2e 76.8i 82.6b 4.6c 5.0a 25.6f 29.4d 5.7b 5.5b 73.6h 75.2j 9.8b 8.8c
FK 140 28.3cd 28.8c 80.8e 83.5a 4.3f 3.4ef 30.0a 28.8e 5.1e 4.9e 75.4f 83.2a 8.9f 7.1k
FK 64 28.2cd 31.2a 81.9b 83.6a 4.3f 3.3f 28.3d 32.6a 5.4c 4.2h 76.0de 82.5c 8.7g 8.1h
NTA P35 28.7b 26.5h 80.1g 81.1e 3.4g 3.9b 29.3b 26.7h 5.3d 5.3c 80.4a 81.1e 8.2h 8.7d
NTA P37 28.4c 28.4d 81.6c 81.5d 4.4e 3.6d 28.3d 28.2g 5.1e 4.5g 76.8b 82.9b 7.5i 7.3j
NTA P38 28.3cd 28.3de 82.6a 80.7f 4.6c 3.5de 28.8c 28.7ef 5.3d 4.9e 76.5c 79.8h 9.0f 9.1b
NTA P40 28.8b 28.9c 80.5f 80.8f 4.5d 3.2h 28.3d 32.7a 5.0f 4.0i 76.2d 80.7g 9.6c 8.6e
NTA P41 27.6e 28.3de 80.7e 82.2c 4.4e 3.3f 29.0bc 31.8c 5.3d 5.0d 76.1de 79.5i 9.4d 8.3f
W 766 - A 28.1d 27.6g 79.7h 81.6d 4.6c 3.4ef 28.4d 28.5f 5.8b 4.8f 73.6h 79.9h 10.5a 9.5a
Y 331-B 25.9f 29.2b 81.0d 81.5d 4.8b 3.7cd 27.1e 32.4b 6.1a 5.6a 73.8g 81.8d 9.3e 8.0i
Grand
mean
28.0 28.5 80.7 81.8 4.4 3.6 28.5 29.9 5.3 4.9 75.8 80.7 9.1 8.3
CV % 0.5 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 1.5 0.9 0.3 1.2 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.5 0.2
SE 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.01 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.01
LSD 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.01 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.02
Genotypes * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
UHML = Upper Half Mean Length, UI = Uniformity Index, MIC = Micronaire, STR = Fiber Strength, EL = Fiber elongation,
Rd = Reflectance degree, +b = Yellowness, SE = Standard Error, LSD: least significant difference, CV% = Coefficient of
variation expressed in percent. * Significant at the 0.05 probability level.
a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i: the mean values followed by a common letter in the respective column do not differ by LSD 0.05
CONCLUSION
It is highlighted that, the genotypes BRS 293 and Y 331-
B recorded the best mean seed cotton yield across two
locations, whereas genotypes NTA P35 exhibited best
ginning outturn (lint yield) across the two environments
and the genotypes FK 64 and BRS 293 produced
suitable fiber length and suitable fiber color grade was
produced by NTA P35 and NTA P37 across the two
locations. From the findings, it has been concluded that
any improvements of morpho-phenological traits and
fiber qualities in cotton germplasm need genotypic
contributions and favorable environmental conditions.
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10. Sory et al. 883
Accepted 3 October 2020
Citation: Sory S, Elhadji M, Mamadou O, Gassiré B, Mamadou M (2020). Identification of Superior Cotton Genotypes for
Seed and Fiber Yield based on Morpho-Phenological Traits under Two Different Agro-Climatic Areas in Mali. International
Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science, 7(3): 874-883.
Copyright: © 2020: Sory et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons
Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original
author and source are cited.