GENETIC STUDIES ON SOME QUANTITATIVE TRAITS IN UPLAND COTTON (GOSSYPIUM HIRSUTUM L.)

The present investigation was carried out at Nuclear Institute of Agriculture (NIA), Tandojam during Kharif 2013 to estimate general and specific combining ability effects and the magnitude of heterosis in 15 genotypes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Out of fifteen genotypes, 06 parents along with their 9 F1 hybrids obtained from line x tester method were grown in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications; observations were recorded for plant height, sympodial branches plant-1, number of bolls plant-1 and seed cotton yield plant-1 (g). The line Sadori and tester IR-2620, displayed high positive GCA effects which indicates that these parents were good general combiners and cross of both parent indicated higher SCA effects which shows best specific combiner for yield and yield contributing traits. Cross Sadori x IR-2620 showed highest heterosis and heterobeltiosis for plant height, bolls plant-1 and seed cotton yield plant-1. Hence, these particular parents and hybrids may be utilized for producing hybrid seed and developing new cotton varieties for high yield.