MODERN DEVELOPMENTS IN GENETIC MAPPING OF COTTON FOR YIELD, FIBER EXCELLENCE, AND ABIOTIC STRESS RESISTANCE

Abstract

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) is one of the world’s most important cash crops, providing natural fiber and sustaining both agricultural production and the textile industry. However, its productivity is frequently constrained by insect pests, diseases, and diverse abiotic stresses, challenges that conventional breeding alone has struggled to address effectively. In recent years, advances in genome sequencing and molecular breeding have created new opportunities to enhance fiber quality and stress tolerance.

This review summarizes recent developments in genetic mapping, quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis, and marker-assisted selection (MAS) for the identification of genes associated with key agronomic traits. The emergence of high-throughput sequencing technologies and genome-editing tools, particularly CRISPR/Cas9, has enabled precise modification of target genes to improve cotton performance. Moreover, the integration of high-density molecular markers with genomic selection approaches has shortened breeding cycles by facilitating early and accurate prediction of desirable traits.

The combination of conventional breeding strategies with genomic tools has also helped address challenges related to polyploidy and limited genetic diversity, contributing to improved yield stability under stress conditions. Looking ahead, broader application of genome-assisted breeding, functional genomics, and high-throughput phenotyping will be critical for enhancing cotton’s adaptability to climate variability and biotic stresses. Overall, genomics-integrated breeding represents a powerful and sustainable approach to improving cotton yield, fiber quality, and resilience.