ARS | Publication request: Genetic variance components and genetic effects among eleven diverse upland cotton lines and their F2 hybrids

Submitted to: Euphytica
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: February 12, 2009
Publication Date: April 1, 2009
Citation: Jenkins, J.N., McCarty Jr., J.C., Wu, J., Gutierrez, O. 2009. Genetic variance components and genetic effects among eleven diverse upland cotton lines and their F2 hybrids. Euphytica. 167:397-408.

Interpretive Summary: Improvements in cotton yield and fiber performance are important to the sustainability of cotton production. Genetic variances for these traits are important in accomplishing this breeding goal. A diverse group of eleven cotton lines were crossed and parents and the F2 generation were grown in environments to measure the amount of genetic variability among these parents and their usefulness for breeding to improve yield and fiber quality. Acala Ultima, Fibermax 966, and Coker 315 were good general combiners for specific fiber properties. Coker 315 was also a good combiner for yield. The data from the F2 population indicates that a random mating approach should be useful to improving fiber properties and yield.

Technical Abstract: Selecting high yielding upland cotton, Gossypium hirsutum L. lines with improved fiber quality is a primary breeding goal. A diverse set of ten cultivars and one breeding line were crossed in a half diallel. Parents and F2 hybrids were grown in three environments at Mississippi State, MS. Ten agronomic and fiber traits were analyzed by a mixed linear model approach based on the additive-dominance genetic model. Variance component, genetic effects and genetic correlations were calculated. ‘Acala Ultima’ was a desirable general combiner for fiber length, uniformity, strength, micronaire, lint percentage, and boll weight. ‘FiberMax 966’ was a desirable general combiner for fiber length, uniformity, strength, and all agronomic traits. ‘Tamcot Pyramid’ and M240 were poor general combiners for both fiber and agronomic traits. ‘Coker 315’ was a good general combiner for fiber length, uniformity, micronaire, boll weight, boll number, and yield. Heterozygous dominance effects were associated with several crosses, which suggest their use as hybrids.