Effect of Subtending Leaf Removal on the Yield and Fiber Quality Traits of Upland Cotton (Gossypium Hirsutum L.)

Since the last decade cotton breeders have followed a trend towards emphasizing physiology of fruit development.Cotton plant can support development of leaves, stem and roots by themselves, but inefficient towards building fruit and young boll.Hence boll depends on and takes most of its food from its subtending leaf.In order to track the impact of subtending leaf on fiber quality and yield, a diverse set of cotton germplasm have been subjected to the removal of the subtending leaf at different stages.The results from the current study show that removal of subtending leaf later than 50 and 60 days post anthesis (DPA) has almost no impact as compared to the Control (No subtending leaf removal).Whereas subtending leaf removal at 35 days post anthesis (DPA) has maximum impact on yield traits as well as most of the fiber quality traits.There are several germplasm accessions which have been minimally impacted by the removal of the subtending leaf regardless of date showing the minimum dependency of boll formation on subtending leaf.The outcomes of this study will aid cotton breeders to develop varieties genetically strong enough to resist environmental influences, more input responsive and appropriate for mechanized farming.