Hybrid vigor study in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) under rainfed condition

Present investigation was undertaken by adopting line x testers analysis involving seven diverse lines and four diverse testers to estimate extent of heterosis for yield and its quantitative traits in some crosses of G. hirsutum and G. barbadense. For this purpose, 28 hybrids were developed by using eleven parents during in summer 2012. These 28 hybrids along with eleven parents and two checks NHH 44 and DCH 32 were planted in kharif 2013. The hybrid PH 1076 x PKV Rajat exhibited significant positive heterosis over mid parent, better parent and standard check NHH 44 and DCH 32. It showed significant heterosis for days to 50% flowering, number of sympodia plant⁻¹, plant height, days to maturity, number of bolls plant⁻¹, ginning percentage, seed cotton yield plant⁻¹, seed cotton yield plot⁻¹ and seed cotton yield qt ha⁻¹. Hybrids viz., NH 613 x PKV Rajat and PH 1076 x NH 452 exhibited significant positive heterosis over mid parent, better parent and standard check for seed cotton yield plant⁻¹.