Genetic improvement of cultivated cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum ) for drought and pest resistance through hybridization with wild species

This study explores the potential of wild cotton species Gossypium anomalum and Gossypium herbaceum as sources of valuable genes for improving the resistance of Gossypium hirsutum L. Ravnak−1 to drought and pests. We created synthetic and complex hybrids and evaluated them under controlled and field conditions. Drought resistance was assessed using osmotic stress with polyethylene glycol (PEG−6000). Hybrids showed significantly higher germination rate and better growth under strong stress (20% PEG) compared to the susceptible Ravnak−1 variety. Field observations confirmed that Ravnak−1 was highly susceptible to whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites, while certain synthetic hybrids demonstrated resistance. Molecular analysis using SSR markers confirmed hybridization and the inheritance of key stress-related alleles, highlighting the genetic distance between the cultivated variety and the wild species. The new hybrids show promise for developing climate-resilient cotton varieties.