Cotton germplasm improvement and progress in Pakistan

• 作 者: RAZZAQ Abdul ZAFAR Muhammad Mubashar ALI Arfan HAFEEZ Abdul BATOOL Wajeeha SHI Yuzhen GONG Wankui YUAN Youlu
• 机 构: State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology/Key Laboratory of Biological and Genetic Breeding of Cotton,
• 出 处: 棉花研究（英文）
• 发表日期: 2021年1期
• 关键词: Genetic progress Bt Cotton GWAS Cotton biology Cotton economy Molecular markers

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) contributes significantly to the economy of cotton-producing countries. Pakistan is the fourth-largest producer of cotton after China, the USA and India. The average yield of cotton is about 570.99 kg.hm?2 in Pakistan. Climate change and different biotic stresses are causing reduction in cotton production. Transgenic approaches have unique advantage to tackle all these problems. However, how to confer permanent resistance in cotton against insects through genetic modification, is still a big challenge to address. Development of transgenic cotton has been proven to be effective. But its effectiveness depends upon several factors, including heterogeneity, seed purity, diffusion of varieties, backcrossing and ethical concerns. Cotton biotechnology was initiated in Pakistan in 1992–1993 with a focus on acquiring cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV)-resistant insect-resistant, and improving fiber quality. This review summarizes the use of molecular markers, QTLs, GWAS, and gene cloning for cotton germplasm improvement, particularly in Pakistan.