Abstract:
The present investigation was undertaken to identify best parents and hybrids and also to
study the genetic potential o f thirteen Gossypium hirsutum Sines in evolving superior fibre
quality genotypes coupled with jassid resistance* The study indicated the predominance of
non-additive gene effects for 2.5 per cent span length, uniformity ratio, micronaire, bundle
strength and elongation percentage. The genotypes SVPR 3, B 1007 and MCU 5 for 2.5 per cent
span length, SVPR 3, Laxmi, PHY 286 for uniformity ratio, SVPR 3 for micronaire value,
Laxmi, B 1007, KC 2 and MCU 5 for bundle strength, SVPR 3, Khandwa 2 for elongation
percentage would serve as good general combiners. The jassid resistant Sines DHY 286 and KC
2 were observed as good general combiners for uniformity ratio and bundle strength,
respectively. The tester MCU 5 was a good general combiner for 2.5% span length and bundle
strength. By hybridizing the resistant lines with MCU 5, favorable gene combinations could be
accomplished for the above fibre quality traits. Further, the resistant hybrids KC 2 x MCU 7
for 2.5% span length, SVPR 3 x MCU 12 for uniformity ratio and elongation percentage, SRT1
x MCU 5 for 2.5% span length and bundle strength showed significant positive specific
combining ability effects. Hence the above hybrids can be used in breeding programmes for
improving the fibre quality traits coupled with jassid resistance.
