Heterosis Studies for Seed Cotton Yield and Fibre Quality Traits in Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Background: Cotton hybrids has its own advantage than varieties in yield and fibre properties. Heterosis breeding helps in identifying F1 hybrids and in creating variability. The chief intention of any hybridization programme is to combine all the desirable genes present in two or more parents into a single genetic background. Methods: This investigation helped in identifying the extent of heterosis in crosses among eight elite selected lines and five testers in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) which was conducted at ARS Dharwad Farm during kharif 2017-18. The all 40 hybrids were derived by line × tester crossing which were analysed for productivity traits along with fibre quality in a randomised block design. Result: The hybrids, CPD-462 × SCS-1061, FLT-36 × SCS-1061 and CPD-462 × NNDC-30 were the most potential crosses. Crosses CPD-462 × IH-11 and FLT-44 × NNDC-24 also recorded desirable fibre quality parameters. These crosses can be exploited for crop improvement programme as they registered high per se performance combined with significant heterosis for most of the yield and fibre quality traits. This study reveals good scope for commercial exploitation of heterosis as well as isolation of potential progenies from the heterotic F1 hybrids.