Abstract

We evaluated seed weight, germination, and resistance to aging of eight cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes having cytoplasms of seven Gossypium species. After seed of the 56 populations were exposed to accelerated aging, standard germination tests were conducted on nonaged and aged seed. Resistance to aging was defined as the ratio of germination of aged seed to germination of nonaged seed, expressed as a percentage. Exotic cytoplasms were associated with increased seed weight when compared to the original G. hirsutum cytoplasm. Germination of nonaged seed averaged over G. hirsutum genotypes was not significantly affected by cytoplasms. Each exotic cytoplasm, except G. longicalyx Hutchinson and Lee and G. barbadense L., caused a decrease in resistance to aging. A significant nuclear genotype by cytoplasm interaction indicated that the tendency toward less resistance could be mitigated in specific nuclear genotype-cytoplasm combinations.

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