Diallel analysis in american cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
Abstract
Combining ability analysis from a seven parent half diallel cross in American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) revealed that gca and sca mean squares were highly significant for all the characters studied, except boll weight and fibre strength for which sca mean squares were not significant indicating the importance of additive and non-additive gene effects. However, the general predictability ratio indicated the predominance of additive component of genetic variance for almost all the characters except lint index and number of sympodia per plant. The parents, DHY 286, PH93 and PKV Rajat were found to be the good general combiners for seed cotton yield and some important yield components. For micronaire value LRA 5166 was the best general combiner. The crosses, PH 93 x DHY 286 and DHY 286 x IRA 5166 were identified for heterosis breeding while the crosses PH 93 x PKV Rajat and DHY 286 x PKV Rajat were observed to be the best combinations for development of superior variety.
