Study on relationship between oil, protein, and gossypol in cottonseed kernels

Abstract Study on interrelationship between oil, protein, and free gossypol in cottonseed kernels of 97 varieties is reported. Relationship between these properties was studied for each botanical species separately, as well as for all the varieties together. Protein and oil were negatively correlated. The correlation coefficients (γ) were significant at the 1% level in the case of Gossypium arboreum, Gossypium hirsutum , and Gossypium barbandense , as well as for all the varieties combined. In the case of Gossypium herbaceum varieties, γ was significant at 5% level. No correlation was found between oil and free gossypol. Protein and free gossypol were negatively correlated. The correlation coefficients were significant at the 1% level in the case of G. hirsutum, G. barbadense , and all the varieties combined, while it was significant at 5% in the case of G. herbaceum varieties.