Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in tetraploid species of cotton

Twelve G. hirsutum genotypes and 14 G. barbadense genotypes were studied for genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for seed cotton yield, halo length, ginning outturn, lint index, seed index, bolls per plant and boll weight. In G. hirsutum cotton, LRA 5166 and TKH 4–3 were superior for seed cotton yield, MCU 5, MCU 9 and MCU 11 were superior for halo length and RKR 4145 and HLS 321729 were superior for ginning outtum. In G. barbadense cotton, BCS 9–95 and TCB 87-6 were superior for seed cotton yield; IMS 0721, IMS 2722 and Suvin were superior for halo length and TCB 87-6, BCS 23-18-7 and RBS 85 were superior for ginning outturn. These genotypes could be exploited by inter-varietal hybridization within the species (pedigree breeding) for evolving a superior variety or by interspecies hybridization hetween the species (heterosis breeding) for developing a superior interspecific hybrid combining high yield and good fibre quality.