Genetic diversity and subspecific races of Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.)

Authors: SAFIULLINA, ASIYA - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; ERNAZAROVA, DILRABO - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; TURAEV, OZOD - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; RAFIYEVA, FERUZA - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; ERNAZAROVA, ZIRAATKHAN - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; ARSLANOVA, SEVARA - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; TOSHPULATOV, ABDULQAHHOR - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; ORIPOVA, BARNO - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; KUDRATOVA, MUKHLISA - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; KHALIKOV, KUVANDIK - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; ISKANDAROV, ABDULLOH - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; KHIDIROV, MUKHAMMAD - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences; Yu, John; KUSHANOV, FKHRIDDIN - Uzbekistan Academy Of Sciences

Submitted to: Euphytica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/25/2024
Publication Date: 11/28/2024
Citation: Safiullina, A., Ernazarova, D., Turaev, O., Rafiyeva, F., Ernazarova, Z., Arslanova, S., Toshpulatov, A., Oripova, B., Kudratova, M., Khalikov, K., Iskandarov, A., Khidirov, M., Yu, J., Kushanov, F. 2024. Genetic diversity and subspecific races of Upland cotton (G. hirsutum L.). Euphytica. https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15121533.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15121533

Interpretive Summary: Upland cotton, the primary source of natural fiber, is produced by Gossypium hirsutum L., one of the several tetraploid cotton species. There are many cultivated and non-cultivated forms of this species which provide intraspecific diversity and genetic variation essential for cotton breeding. However, the knowledge about phylogenetic relationships among the subspecies and race forms is limited and often controversial. To better tap into the primary gene pool for cotton improvement, a large-scale hybridization experiment was conducted to analyze such relationships using DNA markers. A set of 37 hybrid combinations were successfully developed from more than 1,000 intraspecific crosses. The duration of the vegetative state, the length of the flowering phase, and the seasonal specificity (correct synchronization of the flowering period or timing of pollination) were observed. Distinct phylogenetic patterns were identified with high rates of boll-setting and seed-setting in either direct or reciprocal hybridizations. The results of this study provide valuable information to effectively exploit genetic variation for cotton breeding programs.

Technical Abstract: Despite their geographic proximity in Southern Mexico, the taxonomic placement and phylogenetic relationships of Upland cotton Gossypium hirsutum variations (yucatanense, latifolium, morrilli, richmondii, and religiosum) remain controversial. This study investigated these relationships using intraspecific hybridization results (including complete boll-setting and seed-setting) and molecular marker analysis. Our findings revealed specific phylogenetic patterns between G. hirsutum subspecies and races mirrored in their boll-setting rates: race latifolium, race richmondii, and race morilli exhibited low boll-setting rates in both direct and reciprocal crosses. In the study, more than 1,000 inter-race crosses were conducted with the subspecies and races of G. hirsutum L., resulting in the successful development of 37 hybrid combinations. Higher boll-setting rates were observed only when crossed with cultivated forms (Omad and Bakht varieties) as paternal parents. Races religiosum and yucatanense demonstrated high boll-setting and seed-setting rates when used as maternal parents but low boll-setting rates when used as paternal parents. When using these forms as initial sources in future genetic and breeding studies, it is advisable to consider their reciprocal differentiation characteristics in the hybridization process.