Development of Drought Tolerant Index in Cotton Genotypes Based on Relative Water Content and Yield

Water stress adversely affects both yield and fibre quality of cotton (Gossypium spp L.). A study was conducted to determine the relative water content (RWC) and drought tolerant index (DTI) of cotton plants under water stress in cotton. The experiment was conducted by adopting Factorial Randomized Block Design with three replications. The treatments comprised of water stress imposed at vegetative, squaring and boll development stages of crop growth. In case of drought tolerant genotype, the leaves maintained higher RWC and photosynthetic activities under water stress than that of drought sensitive genotype. Prolonged water shortages virtually affect all the metabolic processes and often result in severe reductions in plant productivity.