Combining ability and inbreeding depression analysis for yield and fiber attributes 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 for yield and fiber attributes in first and second filial generation so as 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, strength & micronaire value. Additive gene effect was most promising for all the studied yield and fiber traits. Genotype FH-142 was found to be appropriate parents to create crossing blocks regarding enhancement of yield & fiber attributes. Hybrid 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.