Diallel analysis for technological traits in upland cotton

Final cotton quality is of great importance, and it depends on intrinsic and extrinsic fiber characteristics. The objective of this study was to estimate general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities for technological fiber traits among six upland cotton genotypes and their fifteen hybrid combinations, as well as to determine the effective genetic effects in controlling the traits evaluated. In 2015, six cotton genotypes: FM 993, CNPA 04-2080, PSC 355, TAM B 139-17, IAC 26, and TAMCOT-CAMD-E and fifteen hybrid combinations were evaluated at the Experimental Station of Embrapa Algodão, located in Patos, PB, Brazil. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replications. Technological fiber traits evaluated were: length (mm); strength (gf/tex); fineness (Micronaire index); uniformity (%); short fiber index (%), and spinning index. The diallel analysis was carried out according to the methodology proposed by Griffing, using method II and model I. Significant differences were detected between the treatments and combining abilities (GCA and SCA), indicating the variability of the study material. There was a predominance of additive effects for the genetic control of all traits. TAM B 139-17 presented the best GCA estimates for all traits. The best combinations were: FM 993 x TAM B 139-17, CNPA 04-2080 x PSC 355, FM 993 x TAMCOT-CAMD-E, PSC 355 x TAM B 139-17, and TAM B 139-17 x TAMCOT-CAMD-E, by obtaining the best estimates of SCA, with one of the parents having favorable estimates for GCA.