Genetic studies of quantitative traits in interspecific hybrids of tetraploid cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. X Gossypium barbadense L.)

Forty five inter specific hybrids between tetraploid species, G. hirsutum x G. barbadense derived involving nine diverse female parents of G.hirsutum and five pollen parents of G.barbadense were evaluated to study heterosis and combining ability for seed cotton yield and other characters viz., days to 50% flowering, number of monopodia/plant, number of sympodia/plant, seed index, lint index and oil content. The hybrid G. 67 x GSB 19 exhibited positively significant standard heterosis for seed cotton yield/plant, seed and lint index. Combining ability analysis suggested preponderance of nonadditive gene action for all the characters under study except for days to 50% flowering. The female parent, G. 67 and male parent GSB 19 depicted positive significant gca effects for seed cotton yield/plant, seed and lint index; while, hybrid G. 247 x Suvin had significant positive sca effects for seed cotton yield/plant, number of monopodia/plant, number of sympodia/plant and oil content.