Abstract

In a combining ability analysis of 40 F hybrids developed by line X tester method in cotton, non-additive gene action was predominant for all the seven quantitative characters, viz., plant height, number of internodes, first sympodia emergence, number of sympodia per plant, number of bolls per plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield. Half X Half, CRH-68 and Laxmi among the pollen parents, proved to be the best general combiners and Kampala X MCU-7 among the hybrids recorded the best specific combining ability effect for most of the characters studied. The crosses involving these parents should provide potential breeding material for further exploitation through selection..

Keywords: Gossypium hirsutum, Combining ability, Quantitative Characters.