Performance of genotypes and hybrids for seed cotton yield and yield contributing traits in desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.)

Abstract

Fifty six hybrid combinations developed by crossing 7 lines and 8 testers were tested along with their parents including 4 checks in Line X Tester design for fibre quality characters. These lines, testers and hybrids along with four checks were sown during kharif, 2016 at three locations viz., Cotton Research Station, Nanded (L-1), Experimental farm of Department of Agricultural Botany, VNMKV, Parbhani (L-2) and Experimental farm, Agricultural Research Station, Badnapur (L-3).Among the parents, line PA 812 possessed highest mean performance across the environments for seed cotton yield per plant along with desirable mean performance for many other characters. For earliness parameters, parents AKA 8, HD 514 and PA 801 were found to be the best amongst all parents. They were also involved as a parent in the crosses with early flowering, early boll bursting and early maturity. Among the crosses PAIG 346 X JLA 794, PAIG 346 X DWDa 1402, PA 809 X AKA 8, PA 785 X CNA 449, PAIG 346 X CNA 449 and PAIG 346 X HD 514 were also found superior for seed cotton yield per plant across the environments along with most of yield contributing traits. In these superior cross combinations at least one of the parent was promising for yield and its reflection was found in the combination. For earliness parameters, PA 801 X AKA 8 was found promising along with high seed cotton yield.