Heterosis studies for fibre quality traits in desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.) across the environments

Cotton crop is mainly cultivated for its fibre and hence quality of lint is important in cotton. Fifty six hybrid combinations developed by crossing 7 lines and 8 testers were tested along with their parents including 4 checks in Line X Tester design for fibre quality characters during kharif, 2016 at three locations viz., Cotton Research Station, Mahboob Baugh Farm, Parbhani (L1), Cotton Research Station, Nanded (L2), and Agricultural Research Station, Badnapur (L3). The magnitude of heterosis was estimated in relation to better parent and Standard checks. Results revealed that the cross combination PA 785 x CNA 449 showed highest and desirable significant better parent heterosis for upper half mean length, PA 812 x Phule Dhanwantary for micronaire, whereas the cross PAIG 346 x Phule Dhanwantary for uniformity index and PAIG 346 x DWDa 1402 for fibre strength. With regards to quality traits significant standard heterosis was exhibited by the cross combination PA 809 x DWDa 1402 for upper half mean length and fibre fineness, PAIG 346 x HD 514 for ginning percentage, PAIG 346 x DWDa 1402 for fibre strength and PA 785 x CNA 449 for uniformity index.