<b>Genetic improvement of cultivated cotton (</b> <i> <b>Gossypium hirsutum</b> </i> <b>) for drought and pest resistance through hybridization with wild species</b>

This study explores the potential of wild cotton species Gossypium anomalum and Gossypium herbaceum as sources of valuable genes for improving the resistance of Gossypium hirsutum L. Ravnak−1 to drought and pests. We created synthetic and complex hybrids and evaluated them under controlled and field conditions. Drought resistance was assessed using osmotic stress with polyethylene glycol (PEG−6000). Hybrids showed significantly higher germination rate and better growth under strong stress (20% PEG) compared to the susceptible Ravnak−1 variety. Field observations confirmed that Ravnak−1 was highly susceptible to whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites, while certain synthetic hybrids demonstrated resistance. Molecular analysis using SSR markers confirmed hybridization and the inheritance of key stress-related alleles, highlighting the genetic distance between the cultivated variety and the wild species. The new hybrids show promise for developing climate-resilient cotton varieties.