Heterosis for yield and its component traits in genetic male sterility based upland cotton hybrids

摘要

Forty-eight genetic male based upland cotton hybrids were evaluated to estimate the extent of economic heterosis for yield and its component traits over four environments. For seed cotton yield, the hybrid IAN 579 x G 67 exhibited highest heterosis (36.55%) and also significant heterosis for number of monopods, number of bolls/plant and seed index. The other promising hybrids were SA 278 x A72-15 and IAN 579 x Badnawar, which recorded more than 30 per cent economic heterosis for seed cotton yield. These three hybrids were suggested for further exploitation after multi-location testing. Cross combinations exhibiting heterosis for seed cotton yield also showed high heterosis values for either of its component traits viz., number of bolls, boll weightand other characters such as number of monopods, number of sympods and seed index.