ABSTRACT

A eight parent diallel cross (without reciprocal) of Gossypium hirsutum L. were studied to determine general and specific combining ability (GCA , SCA) variance and effects under drought stress condition for five fibre traits (halo length, uniformity, halo strength, elongation and micronare index). GCA variance was significant for all the studied traits. SCA was significant only for elongation trait; GCA/SCA variance was greater than the unit for this trait. The variance of GCA and SCA showed the importance of additive genetic variance in the inheritance of fibre traits under drought stress condition. GCA effect indicated that the parental variety Tashkent 9 was one of the best combiners for all the studied traits. SCA effect showed that the cross Zaire x Paymaster 792 was interested from the breeding point of view for uniformity, halo strength and micronaire index.