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Germplasm Potential for Continuing Improvement of Fiber Quality in Upland Cotton: Combining Ability for Lint Yield and Fiber Quality
Author(s) -
Zeng Linghe,
Meredith William R.,
Boykin Deborah L.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2010.07.0413
Subject(s) - lint , germplasm , biology , heterosis , hybrid , agronomy , yield (engineering) , cultivar , fiber , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , metallurgy , composite material
Exotic germplasm, that is, germplasm without commercial applicability, can broaden the genetic base in upland cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.). The objectives of this study were to determine combining ability and identify parents from exotic germplasm for breeding. Twelve regionally adapted exotic germplasm lines were crossed with one cultivar and three elite germplasm lines in a North Carolina Design II scheme. The 48 F 2 hybrids were evaluated at two locations with 4 and 3 replicates each in 2008 and 2009, respectively. General combining ability (GCA) effects were significant ( p ≤ 0.001) for lint yield and all fiber properties. General combining ability effects were more important than specific combining ability (SCA) effects for most traits. Significant ( p ≤ 0.05) favorable GCA effects were detected in all exotic germplasm parents for different fiber properties. Positive GCA effects for lint yield and favorable GCA effects for at least one fiber property were detected in some exotic parents: SP156 and SP224 for lint yield and strength; SP192, SP205, and JC65 for lint yield, micronaire, and elongation; and SP192 and SP224 for lint yield and short fiber content and fineness, respectively. Significant high parent heterosis (HPH) for lint yield was detected in F 2 hybrids of FM832 × SP205 (14%) and MD15 × SP205 (26%). These results provide evidence for the potential of these germplasm lines in breeding for continuing improvement of lint yield and fiber quality.