Combining ability studies for yield and yield contributing traits in desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.)

In the present investigation an attempt was made to obtain information on general combining ability effects (GCA) of parents and specific combining ability effects (SCA) of crosses for different characters through combining ability analysis. Combining ability studies was conducted in twenty four crosses by using four female lines and six male lines in cotton. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed significant differences among the genotypes. The female PAIG 380 was found as the best general combiner for four characters viz.,days to 50 percent flowering, number of sympodia/plant, number of bolls/plant and seed index. The female AKA 8 was the best general combiner for number of bolls per plant, whilemale Phule Dhanwantry was the best general combiner for boll weight and plant height (cm). JLA 505 found best general combiner for days to 50 per cent flowering, number of sympodia per plant, lint index and ginning out turn. The cross combinations PA 839 x AKA 7, PA 839 x PA 812, PA 839 x AKA 8 and PA 811 x JLA 505 exhibited significant and desirable specific combining ability effects for most of the yield contributing traits, indicating potential for exploiting hybrid vigour in breeding programme.