Genetic dissection of yield and its components in upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

A 4x4 diallel cross experiment involving three exotic lines that is DPL-775, 71-821 Bulk-OP and Coker-100/A-2 and one local line that is MNH-53, was conducted for genetic analysis of yield and its components in upland cotton, to evaluate the gene action for different agronomic and fiber characters in upland cotton. Additive gene action with partial dominance appeared to control plant height, number of sympodial branches, number of bolls, yield of seed cotton, boll weight and lint percentage, where as over dominance type of gene action was noted for number of seeds per boll, seed index, lint index, staple length, fiber fineness. On over all basis 71-82 Bulk-OP has maximum dominant genes for number of sympodial branches, yield of seed cotton, seed index, lint index and fiber fineness while dominant genes for number of seeds per boll, boll weight, lint percentage and staple length are present in Coker-100/A-2. MNH-53 has maximum dominant genes for plant height and number of bolls while DPL-775 did not possess and dominant genes for any character. Key words: Gene action, diallel cross agronomic traits, cotton.