Heterosis studies for yield, yield attributes and fibre properties in new hybrids ofupland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

A full diallel analysis was undertaken to estimate the magnitude of heterosis in 90 hybrids of cotton (Gossypiumhirsutum L.) for yield, yield attributes and fibre properties in 103 entries including 10 parents and 3 standard check hybrids(DHH-11, DHH-263 and Ajeet-155 Bt.) at the Agricultual Research Station, Dharwad Farm during Kharif, 2020-21. Theanalysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all characters. The mean sum of squares forparents was significant for all the traits except for number of bolls per plant. This study revealed that 32 crosses showedpositive significant heterobeltiosis. The best cross GBHV-200 × CPD-1652 showed significant heterosis over all the3 checks. Four hybrids manifested significant and positive standard heterosis over DHH-11 for seed cotton yield i.e.GBHV-200 × CPD-1652 (63.37 %), CPD-1652 × ESS-5 (32.18 %), ESS-12 × GJHV-554 (29.51 %) and GJHV-554 ×GBHV-200 (28.51 %).Two most potential hybrids, GBHV-200 × CPD-1652 and CPD-1652 × ESS-5 were identified whichexhibited high seed cotton yield, number of bolls per plant, boll weight and number of sympodia and even had significantpositive heterosis over the popular Bt. hybrid Ajeet-155 Bt. The two hybrids also had superior fibre qualities with betterfibre length and strength than the best fibre check DHH-11.