Exploration of productive hybrids by heterotic analysis in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The present research was undertaken to determine heterosis estimates of 12 F1 hybrids developed by a four parent complete diallel crossing in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). The twelve hybrids of Qalandri, Chang-19, Reshmi and NIAB-78 were evaluated. The analysis of variance revealed that the genotypes including 12 F1 progenies and their 4 parental lines differed significantly for all characters except number of monopodia per plant. The mean performance revealed that the tallest plant height was recorded for Reshmi and Qalandri and the lowest for Chang-19, while, tallest plants were produced by eight hybrids and three hybrids displayed the lowest plant height. Maximum sympodia producer was Reshmi and minimum producer was Chang-19. In case of hybrids, with maximum sympodia were Chang-9 X Qalandri, Reshmi X Qalandri and NIAB-78 X Qalandri while with minimum sympodai were Chang-19 X Rehsmi Chang-19 X NIAB-78 and Reshmi X NIAB-78. The trait number of monopodia was non-significant. Highest number of bolls were produced by Reshmi and NIAB-78, while, lowest was borne by Qalandri and Chang-19. Maximum bolls were produced by seven hybrids, while rest of the hybrids exhibited lowest. For ginning percentage Reshmi and NIAB-78 were on top in parents, while, Qalandri and Chang-19 were at bottom. All the hybrids displayed highest performance regarding ginning percentage except Chang-19 X NIAB-78 and Chang-19 X Qalandri which exhibited the lowest performance. Highest seed index was recorded for Rehsmi and Qalandri and NIAB-78 displayed lowest performance among the parents. Five hybrids revealed highest lint index while Reshmi X Chang-19 showed lowest lint index. Maximum and minimum staple length producers were Reshmi and NIAB-78 respectively among the parents. While Chang-19 X Qalandri, Reshmi X Qalandri and NIAB-78 X Qalandri produced longs staple, whereas, shortest staple was recorded for Rehsmi X Chang-19 and NIAB-78 X Chang-19. The highest seed cotton yield producer was Reshmi, while, lowest cotton yield producer was Chang-19. Among the hybrids, nine hybrids performed highest and statistically similar seed cotton yield, while, Reshmi X NIAB-78 and NIAB-78 X Chang-19 produced lowest seed cotton yield. Positive mid-parent heterosis was revealed by eleven hybrids heterobeltiosis by six hybrids and economic heterosis by ten hybrids for plant height, while, rest of the hybrids showed negative heterosis. For number of sympodia per plant six hybrids showed positive mid-parent heterosis only one F1 showed heterobeltiosis and seven progenies revealed economic heterosis, while, remaining hybrids exhibited negative heterosis. Since number of monopodia was non-significant, hence, heterosis performance was not computed. Ten hybrids displayed positive mid-parent heterosis seven progenies expressed heterobeltiosis and five economic heterosis for number of bolls per plant, whereas, rest of the hybrids performed negative heterosis. All the hybrids displayed positive mid-parent, better-parent and economic heterosis for seed cotton yield per plant. The hybrids in which Qalandri was one of the progenitors performed all the three types of heterosis. Similar pattern was followed by the hybrids as in case of seed cotton yield per plant for ginning perceritage and to lint index. Nine hybrids displayed mid-parent heterosis, six. hybrids exhibited better-parent heterosis and all the hybrids manifested economic heterosis at positive direction for the trait staple length with varying magnitude, whereas, remaining hybrids displayed negative performance. So far seed index is concerned, all the F1's displayed positive mid-parent heterosis except one, seven progenies manifested positive heterobeltiosis and all the hybrids expressed positive economic heterosis. It was concluded that for tall plant height crosses Qalandri X Chang-19, Qalandri X Reshmi, Qalandri X NIAB-78 and NIAB-78 X Chang-19 were selected. Qalandri X Chang-19 and Qalandri X Reshmi were isolated for number of bolls per plant. For seed cotton yield per plant, the crosses involving Qalandri as one of the progenitors and direct and reciprocal crosses of Reshmi X NIAB-78 manifested remarkable performance. The characters ginning percentage, lint and seed indices conformed the pattern of heterosis as seed cotton yield. For staple length, none of the hybrids displayed meaningful heterosis however the crosses with Reshmi, as seed parent, expressed considerable performance.