Heterosis for yield related traits, fiber quality traits and biochemical parameter in cotton [Gossypium hirsutum (L.)]

The present experiment was carried out during kharif 2019 and 2020 using thirteen different genotypes of cotton at Main Cotton Research Station, Navsari Agricultural University, Surat. Among them five cross combinations viz., GCot 16 BG II x GTHV 02/45, BC 68-2 BG II x GTHV 02/45, GCot 10 BG II x GSHV 95/216, GCot 16 BG II x SCS 1062 and GCot 16 BG II x GSHV 172 manifested significant and positive heterobeltiosis as well as significant standard heterosis over check GCot Hy-10 BG II. It also manifested significant standard heterosis in desired direction for one or more yield attributing characters like bolls per plant and seed index. In case of fiber characters, the maximum value of standard heterosis was observed by the cross GCot 10 BG II x SCS 1062 for ginning outturn, BC 68-2 BG II x GSHV 172 for fiber length, GCot 10 BG II x TCH 1705 for fiber strength and GCot 10 BG II x GSHV 213 for fiber fineness in desired direction. For biochemical parameter, the cross BC 68-2 BG II x GSHV 213 for gossypol content, GCot 16 BG II x GTHV 02/45 for protein content, GCot 16 BG II x SCS 1062 for phenol content and BC 68-2 BG II x GSHV 95/216 for proline content was observed significant standard heterosis in desired direction.