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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Stoneville, Mississippi » Crop Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #329492

Title: Comparative genetic analysis of lint yield and fiber quality among single, three-way, and double crosses in upland cotton

Author
item Zeng, Linghe
item WU, JIXIANG - South Dakota State University
item Bechere, Efrem

Submitted to: Crop Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/23/2016
Publication Date: 1/19/2017
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/5695411
Citation: Zeng, L., Wu, J., Bechere, E. 2017. Comparative genetic analysis of lint yield and fiber quality among single, three-way, and double crosses in upland cotton. Crop Science. 57:192-201. doi:10.2135/cropsci2016.06.0499.

Interpretive Summary: Lint yield in commercial cotton cultivars has reached a plateau in recent years. Increasing genetic diversity in cotton germplasm is critical for further improvement of lint yield and fiber quality. Traditionally, two parents are used to create breeding populations from which new and improved lines are developed. Breeders want to know whether an increase in the % number of parents used to develop breeding populations could promote diversity and thus improve yield and fiber quality in cotton cultivars. In this study, for comparison, we created breeding populations derived from two, three and four parents. The lines derived from these populations were tested in research plots in 2013, 2014, and 2015 for lint yield and fiber quality. Results showed that using three or four parents to develop breeding populations could be an effective strategy to improve lint yield in commercial cotton cultivars.

Technical Abstract: Decisions on the appropriate crossing systems to employ for genetic improvement of quantitative traits are critical in cotton breeding. Determination of genetic variance for lint yield and fiber quality in three different crossing schemes, i.e., single cross (SC), three-way cross (TWC), and double cross (DC) of Upland cotton (Gossypium histutum L.) will help breeders decide which crossing scheme to use in hybrid production and pure-line development. This study was designed to compare agronomic performance and fiber quality among SC, TWC, and DC and to determine genetic variance for the evaluated traits in the three crossing systems. A balanced set of 10 F2 hybrid populations from each of SC, TWC, and DC was planted with their five parents in 2013, 2014, and 2015 in four replications. There were no significant differences for lint yield and fiber properties between SC and the other two crossing systems. When genetic variance components were expressed as proportions of the total phenotypic variances (Vp), there were mainly dominance (VD) and environmental variances (VE) for lint yield in F2 hybrids of all three crossing systems. An increase of VD for lint yield was observed in TWC and DC compared to SC. The predominance of VD for lint yield suggests that selection would be more successful in later generations than early generations among lines derived from SC, TWC, and DC. The proportion of dominance (VD/ Vp) and additive genetic variances (VA/ Vp) for yield components was greater in TWC and DC compared to SC. Mid-parent heterosis (MPH) of lint yield in TWC increased compared to SC. Results indicate that three-way crosses may be used to enhance heterosis in hybrids and both three-way and double crosses may be used in pure line development to increase yield potential of Upland cotton cultivars.