Abstract

The inherent breaking strength of individual fibers is considered to be the most important factor in determining the strength of yarn spun from the cotton fibers. The mismatch between required fiber qualities and available fiber properties in commercial varieties and hybrids impels research to improve fiber properties of Indian germplasm. Diploid cotton, G. herbaceum is having wide adaptability and high degree of resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses. Development of diploid cotton suitable for 40 count yarn will make them more remunerative to diploid cotton growers. We started genetic introgression studies through inter-specific cross using G. anomalum to improve fiber strength of G. herbaceum cotton. Pedigree selection from F2 to F11 was practised. These F11 lines were evaluated at ARS, Dharwad Farm, during 2009–10 in augmented design-II. Observations on fiber traits, seed cotton yield and ginning turnout were recorded and analysed using Windostat version 8.5. Seed cotton yield ranged from 75–2557 kg/ha with 832.99% GCV, 80% heritability and 67.93% genetic advance as per cent of mean. Range for ginning outturn was 28.22–39.77% with 65% heritability, 24.59% GCV and 16.98% genetic advance as per cent of mean. Recorded fibre strength was in the range of 16.35–24.65 g/tex with variability parameters like 2.58% GCV, 93% heritability and 1.35% genetic advance as per cent of mean. The value for 2.5% span length ranged from 21.97 to 30.92 mm with 18.19% GCV, 73% heritability and 11.51% genetic advance as per cent of mean. Recorded micronaire value ranged from 3.29 to 6.64 μg/in with GCV of 14.38%, heritability of 74% and genetic advance as per cent of mean of 22.37%. The seven selections PSCANOI-5, 42, 62, 160, 166, 170 and 173 recorded significantly higher in both fibre strength (18.05–21.85 g/tex) and seed cotton yield (1680.49–1896.69 kg/ha) than diploid cotton commercial variety DLSa-17 (Seed cotton yield 1236.97 kg/ha, GOT 36.42%, 2.5% span length 26.47 mm, fibre strength 18.0–19.5 g/tex and micronaire 5.03 μg/in). These selections recorded 36 to 53% yield increase over DLSa-17. It indicates the possibility of improvement in both seed cotton yield and fibre quality traits of G. herbaceum cotton through interspecific hybridization using wild species G. anomalum as a donor parent.