Study on Heterosis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Desi Cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.)

The present investigation entitled “Studies on Heterosis for Yield and Yield Contributing Traits in Desi Cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) was undertaken with the objective to study the scale of heterosis over mid parent (Average heterosis), better parent (Heterobeltiosis) and standard check (Standard heterosis). The line x tester method of analysis was followed involving four females viz., PA 811, PA 839, PA 808 and PAIG 380 and six males viz. AKA 8, JLA 505, PA 812, AKA 7, PA 08 and Phule Dhanwantry for study of heterosis for various yield and yield contributing characters. The F1’s and theis parents were evaluated in Randomized Block Design with two replications. Observations were recorded on Days to 50 % flowering, Plant height (cm), Number of sympodia, Number of bolls/plant, Boll weight (g), Seed index, Seed cotton yield/plant (g) and Lint index. The magnitude of heterosis was highest for seed cotton yield per plant, which was recorded to the extent of 115.28 % over standard check PKV Suvarna in the cross PAIG 380 x AKA 8 followed by 109.68 % over standard check PKVDH 1.