Abstract
Fifty nine varieties/genotypes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) collected from various cotton research institutes in Pakistan were grown in the field. Five cotton cultivars were selected out of this germplasm contrasting for three fiber quality traits viz; staple length, fiber strength and fiber fineness. Three crosses were made using these five genotypes each between two varieties contrasting for one fiber quality trait, cross CIM-707x4-F for staple length designated as cross-I, cross NIAB-IIIxRH-1 for fiber strength designated as cross-II and cross MS-40x4-F for fiber fineness designated as cross-III. Four generations P1, P2, F1 and F2 of each cross were developed and evaluated in the field. Measurements were made relating to various seed cotton yield and fiber quality components. Results revealed significant differences for all the traits under study. The correlation among different pairs of plant traits in three crosses indicated that seed cotton yield can be improved by increasing number of bolls per plant and boll weight. Seed cotton yield has positive association with staple length and fiber fineness. Seed cotton yield and fiber strength showed negative association in three crosses, indicating less gain through selection. The simultaneous improvement in fiber strength and seed cotton yield could be achieved through intermating in early generations along with selection of desirable segregants in the following generations and repeating the process till desirable results obtained. The simultaneous improvement in staple length and fiber strength seemed possible as observed from correlations among them in cross II (RH-1xNIAB-111) and cross III (4-FxMS-40). (c) 2010 Friends Science Publishers