Genetic effects for yield components and fibre characteristics in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivated under salinized (NaCl) conditions

Genetic effects for yield components and fibre characteristics in cotton were assessed using a complete diallel cross of six cultivars/lines, differing in salt tolerance. The salt tolerance of 36 crosses, including selfs, was assessed in soil salinized with 140 mol.m(-3) NaCl. The variance due to general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were highly significant for all the traits studied except monopodia per plant where only SCA was highly significant. This indicated that both additive and dominance gene effects were responsible for the inheritance of different traits, except monopodia per plant. The GCA mean square values higher than those of SCA indicated the pre-dominance of additive effect for all the traits. Considerable heterosis and maternal effects were observed for most of the traits. However, the presence of high additive effects indicates that a significant advancement in salt tolerance is possible through appropriate selection.