LINE X TESTER ANALYSIS FOR GENETIC POTENTIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STABILITY OF INTRA- HIRSUTUM COTTON HYBRIDS

Abstract

Genotype × environment interactions significantly affect the productivity and fibre quality of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.), and identification of the best and most stable hybrids is vital for the improvement of the crop. This study employed a combined approach of combining ability, heterosis, and stability analysis to assess upland cotton genotypes under three agro-climatic zones of Aurangabad, Jalgaon, and Akola in Maharashtra. Five female lines and six male testers were crossed using a line × tester mating design to develop 30 F₁ hybrids. These hybrids, along with their 11 parents and three standard checks, were tested under Kharif 2025-26 in two replications of a randomized block design. Phenological, plant-architectural, yield, and fibre-quality data were recorded. Significant genetic and environmental diversity was found between the materials evaluated when analyzed collectively. Lines accounted for a significant amount of variation in seed index, lint index, boll weight, fibre strength, and seed-cotton yield; line × tester interactions were significant for flowering, maturity, plant height, sympodia, and ginning outturn, reflecting additive and non-additive genetic effects. The seed-cotton yield per plant has shown 49.80% heterosis with AKH-8828 × RHC-0715, and NH-677 × AKH-09-5 has shown favourable heterosis for boll weight and sympodia, respectively. Both the stability analysis and the evaluation of the performance of the cross-group revealed that AKH-9916 × RHC-0715 is a relatively stable seed-cotton-yielding cross. NH-615 × RHC-0715 and NH-615 × RHC-577/3-3 produced good plant stability and fibre-related characteristics. The integrated analytical approach proved to be effective in identifying productive, fibre-superior, and broadly adapted upland cotton cultivars that are potentially good parents and hybrids.