Abstract:
Hybrids in cotton are considered a way out to improve lint quantity and quality by exploiting broad genetic base offered in this technique. The study was carried out to find the cross combinations exhibiting heterosis for the desirable plant characters under CLCuV resistance and insect non-preference genetic background. Fourteen crosses were tested against two high yielding, CLCuV resistant commercial varieties. The analysis of variance for six plant traits revealed significant differences within treatments for plant height, boll number and yield / plant while non-significant for boll weight, staple length and G.O.T. %. A range of positive heterosis was found in all crosses for plant height, boll number and yield. For boll weight, staple length and G.O.T.% heterotic values ranging from negative to positive were observed. Crosses FH-634 x HRVO, FH-634 x Krishna, CIM-448 x HRVO and CIM-448 x NIAB-78 exhibited maximum values of heterosis for more than one character. Among CLCuV resistance and insect non-preference combinations, crosses FH-634 x Krishna, FH-634 x SL7-9, CIM-448 x HRVO and CIM-448 x SL7-9 performed better than essential hybrid vigour for seed cotton yield per plant, hence, recommended for use as commercial cotton hybrids.