Combining ability studies for seed cotton yield and its attributing characters in tetraploid cotton (G. hirsutum L.)

Abstract

The present investigation was carried out to study combing ability of parental lines and hybrids of American cotton (Gossypium hirstum L.). The estimation of combining ability of hybrids were significant for all characters except for ginning percentage. Mean squares due to lines effects were significant for sympodia per plant, seed index and fibre strength, whereas testers effects noticed non-significant for all the traits. Line x tester effects reported significant for all characters except for ginning percentage indicating that considerable GCA and SCA was present for parents and hybrids, respectively. Combining ability analysis revealed importance of both additive and non-additive components in the expression of seed cotton yield and other traits. The cross combinations GSHV 185 x RAH 1069, GSHV 172 x TCH 1824 and GSHV 172 x CPD 1501 recorded higher per se performance as well as significant SCA effect, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis over both the standard checks for seed cotton yield per plant. The estimates of general combining ability suggested that parents GSHV 172 and RAH 1069 were good general combiner for seed cotton yield per plant.