Genetic variations in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for yield and fiber quality traits

Cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) is one of the most important fiber and oilseed crop in family Malvaceae. Pakistan is 4th largest cotton producing countries but yield per acre is low with respect to other cotton producing countries. The aim of the study is to examine combining ability effects and gene action of yield and yield contributing traits in upland cotton. Four upland cotton genotypes i.e. MARVI, FH-458, MNH-996 and VH-333 were grown and crossed in full diallel mating design. Joint regression analysis revealed that data of all traits was fit for additive-dominance model and all the characters except fiber length were controlled by non-additive type of gene action following dominance and over dominance. As all the genotypes were significantly different. The genotype FH-458 showed best GCA effects fiber length. MARVI was found best general combiner for number fiber fineness while VH-333 was best general combiner for fiber strength. MNH-996 showed best general combining ability for average fiber strength. Among the F1 hybrids FH-458 × FH-458 showed good specific combining ability effects for fiber fineness, MARVI × FH-458 and FH-458 × MARVI for number of strength, FH-458 × MARVI for fiber length.