Estimation of combining ability of yield and different agronomic traits in interspecific cotton hybrids

Abstract

The experiment was carried out to investigate the general combining ability of elite genotypes of seven hirsutum and six barbadense lines and the heterotic values and specific combining ability of 42 interspecific hybrids obtained by line x tester mating design for twelve characters. The analysis of variance revealed the presence of sufficient genetic variability for all the characters in the experimental material. The seed cotton yield and yield attributing characters exhibited non-additive gene action and also their hybrid mean were significantly higher than parental mean. The parents MERREL-1, BCS-9, G.Cot.20, GSB 41 and DB 1602 were good general combiners for seed cotton yield and important yield contributing characters. The hybrids G.Cot.20 × DB 1602, G.Cot.20 × GSB 41 and BCS-9 × DB 1602 noted for their high per se performance, sca estimates and having both parents of good gca effects for seed cotton yield per plant and may recommended for future breeding programme.

Keywords

• cotton
• combining ability
• interspecific hybrids
• g. hirsutum l.
• g. barbadense l.