Combining ability and inbreeding depression analysis for yield and fiber traits in cotton genotypes

Abstract

Cotton is the crop of great industrial relevance and provides 90% world textile fiber. The aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic control and inbreeding depression of the yield and fiber traits in F₁ and F₂ generations and to pin point the most promising hybrids to obtain the superior cotton genotypes. Four cotton genotypes were crossed in half diallel fashion and data was recorded on number of bolls plant^-1, boll weight, ginning out turn, fiber length, and fiber strength and micronaire value. The additive genetic effects were the most promising for all the studied yield and fiber traits. Genotype FH-142 was found to be the most appropriate parent to create crossing blocks for the enhancement of yield and fiber traits. The hybrids FH-142 × AA-934 and CRIS-600 × CEMB-33 were the most appropriate to obtain the segregating generations with the aim to select the most desirable genotypes. Inbreeding depression was recorded to be more prominent in the yield related traits in comparison to fiber traits