Combining ability studies in cotton (Gossypium barbadense L.)

Abstract

A study was carried out to estimate the GCA of the parents and SCA of the hybrids towards identifying high yielding and better quality cultivars. Eight genotypes and 28 F1 hybrids derived by crossing the eight parental genotypes in half diallel mating system were sown in randomized complete block design. Half diallel analysis revealed significant GCA and SCA mean squares for all the traits except for number of reproductive points per plant, 2.5 percent span length. However GCA variance showed significant mean squares for all the traits except boll weight and uniformity ratio, and SCA showed significant mean squares for all the traits except sympodia per plant, micronaire and fibre strength. Among the parents: GSB 40, RHCB 011 and DB 16 were found to be best general combiners for seed cotton yield. Parent TCB 37 and GSB 21 are good combiners for fibre quality traits.