Combining Ability of Ginning Efficiency in Upland Cotton

ABSTRACT Combining ability describes the breeding value of parental lines to produce hybrids. The objectives of this study were to estimate specific (SCA) and general combining ability (GCA) for ginning rate and net ginning energy requirement in a set of upland cotton germplasm (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Ginning efficiency was based on measurements of ginning energy (Wh kg-1 lint) and ginning rate (g lint s-1). Crosses were made in a 5X8 factorial design between 5 female and 8 male diverse cotton genotypes. The experiment was conducted in a randomized complete plot design. Analysis of variance was performed using a mixed model of the SAS GLM procedures. A preponderance of the GCA effects was evident. Hybrid performance for ginning energy and fuzz percent was reasonably predicted from average parent performance.