Screening of Cotton (G. hirsutum L.) for Cotton Leaf Curl Virus (CLCuV) Through Pathological, Morphological and Fiber Quality Parameters

This study was conducted to evaluate genetic variability in diverse cotton genotypes under disease stress conditions, to find correlation between pathological, morphological and fiber quality parameters, and to identify potential sources of resistance and yield stability. A comprehensive analysis of genotypes for said characters revealed significant to highly significant differences across genotypes, indicating ample genetic diversity for selection. Highly significant MSS values were observed for DI (1650.4**) and DSI (1280.55**), reflecting pronounced variability in disease reaction and confirming the presence of both resistant and susceptible genotypes. Yield-related traits, including SCY (1200.65**) and LY (980.35*), also showed significant variation, demonstrating the influence of disease stress on productivity. Strong positive correlations were recorded among LY, SCY, GOT, and STR, suggesting that these yield and fiber traits are interdependent and can be jointly improved through selection. Conversely, negative correlations between disease indices (DI, DSI) and yield parameters emphasize the yield-reducing effect of disease infection. Fiber-related attributes such as FL, STR, and UI exhibited moderate to high positive associations, supporting their stability as selection criteria for quality improvement. The findings suggested that genotypes combining low DSI with high SCY, LY, and GOT are valuable candidates for developing resistant and high-yielding cultivars. Overall, the study highlighted the genetic potential within the evaluated germplasm and provides a foundation for future breeding strategies targeting disease resilience and enhanced fiber productivity in cotton.