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

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 ofGossypium arboreum, Gossypium hirsutum, andGossypium barbandense, as well as for all the varieties combined. In the case ofGossypium 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 ofG. hirsutum, G. barbadense, and all the varieties combined, while it was significant at 5% in the case ofG. herbaceum varieties.