The following study sought to determine the chlorophyll and carotenoid content of the cotton species Gossypium herbaceum L. and G. arboreum L. Results showed the highest levels of chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids emerged in the genotypes of G. herbaceum L. subspecies, subsp. Frutescens. In the G. arboreum L. genotypes, the chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid were prominent in the subsp. Obtusifolium var. Indicum. By analyzing the introgressive cultivars and lines obtained with the participation of the G. hirsutum L., outcomes gave varied values for chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents. However, in the first iteration, the optimum levels of сhlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids appeared in the lines T-5, Sultan, and Genofond-2. In the second iteration, the highest сhlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents resulted in the lines T-5 and Genofond-2. For the third iteration, the topmost values of сhlorophyll a, b, total chlorophyll, and carotenoids were evident in the lines T-14 and T-41. The maximum carotenoid content of the G. herbaceum subsp. Frutescens and G. arboreum subsp. Obtusifolium var. Indicum occurred in Genofond-2, improving the ability of chlorophyll to collect light energy and its efficiency in photosynthesis. Moreover, the ultimate level of carotenoids has a positive effect on photosynthesis, leading to increased yield. Overall, the results confirmed that the differences between these cotton species, introgressive cultivars, and lines reflect the diversity for chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, which serve as an important basis for biological research.
Cotton, G. herbaceum L., G. arboreum L., G. hirsutum L., introgressive lines, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll a and b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids
In these cotton lines, the enhanced carotenoid content increases the ability of chlorophyll to harvest light energy, improving the efficiency of photosynthesis, which helps cotton to grow more effectively. High photosynthesis rates improve photosynthesis in cotton leaves, resulting in increased seed cotton yield.