The present investigation was undertaken to estimate the extent of heterosis for yield, yield related and fiber quality traits designed among 16 parents, 2 testers, 32 hybrids and 4 standard checks developed through line x tester method during 2017 cropping season using 6x9 alpha lattice design. The analysis of variance indicated substantial variability among the experimental material for most yield and fiber quality traits. Mid parent, better parent and standard heterosis estimated in the range between -24.2 to 63.99%, -28.13 to 56.12% and -27.7 to 64.95% for lint yield, respectively. The magnitude of mid and better parent ranged from -24.67 to 55.01% and -25.56 to 50.66% for seed cotton yield, respectively. Moreover, hybrids L9 x T2, L10 x T1, L16 x T1 and L10 x T2 hybrids showed positive and significant standard heterosis of 64.95%, 64.79%, 63.20% and 52.55% over best check variety for lint yield, respectively. A minimum for hybrids L3 x T2, L13 x T2 and L3 x T2 while maximum for hybrids L9 x T2, L9 x T2 and L10 x T1 displayed positive and significant mid and better parent heterosis for seed cotton yield, respectively.

1. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality
Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
*1Merdasa Balcha, 2Wassu Mohammed, 3Zerihun Desalegn and 4Bedane Gudeta
1Werer Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia, P.O. Box: 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2School of Plant Sciences, Haramaya University, Ethiopia, P.O. Box: 138, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
3,4Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, Ethiopia, P.O. Box: 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The present investigation was undertaken to estimate the extent of heterosis for yield, yield
related and fiber quality traits designed among 16 parents, 2 testers, 32 hybrids and 4 standard
checks developed through line x tester method during 2017 cropping season using 6x9 alpha
lattice design. The analysis of variance indicated substantial variability among the experimental
material for most yield and fiber quality traits. Mid parent, better parent and standard heterosis
estimated in the range between -24.2 to 63.99%, -28.13 to 56.12% and -27.7 to 64.95% for lint yield,
respectively. The magnitude of mid and better parent ranged from -24.67 to 55.01% and -25.56 to
50.66% for seed cotton yield, respectively. Moreover, hybrids L9 x T2, L10 x T1, L16 x T1 and L10
x T2 hybrids showed positive and significant standard heterosis of 64.95%, 64.79%, 63.20% and
52.55% over best check variety for lint yield, respectively. A minimum for hybrids L3 x T2, L13 x
T2 and L3 x T2 while maximum for hybrids L9 x T2, L9 x T2 and L10 x T1 displayed positive and
significant mid and better parent heterosis for seed cotton yield, respectively.
Key word: heterosis, hybrids, line x tester, lint yield, seed cotton yield
INTRODUCTION
Ethiopia has great potential for cotton production, but the
amount of cotton produced is low due to only four percent
utilized currently (Bosena et al., 2011). Cotton plays a key
role in the national economy and total foreign exchange
through generation of direct and indirect employment of
many people in the agricultural and industrial sectors of
cotton production and processing. Cotton grown for fiber
as major and for oilseed in the international market. Cotton
is the most important natural textile fiber used to produce
apparel, home furnishings and industrial products in the
world (Wakelyn et al, 2007). Cotton is key role in the world
for textile manufacture and accounting about 50% of all
fibers used in the textile industry. It is more important than
the various synthetic fibers, even though its use is
gradually reducing (Acquaah, 2007). On other hand,
cotton is also one of the most valuable multipurpose crop
e.g. food (cotton seed) and fiber. The highly significant
product i.e. lint is a source of better natural fiber quality for
textile sector, cotton seed uses for oil extraction, seed
meal and cotton cake (Kouser and Qaim, 2012; Rathore et
al., 2009). Cotton is the most important textile fiber crop in
the world and most important oilseed crop (Khan, et al,
2002). Cotton remain undisputed as king of global textile
industry and almost pure cellulose, softness and
breathability of natural fiber (Monicashree et al., 2017).
Line x tester analysis is powerful tools to estimate the
combining ability effects and aids in selecting desirable
parents and crosses for exploitation in pedigree breeding
in both self and cross-pollinated plants (Kempthorne,
1957). Ahuja and Dhayal (2007) revealed that line x tester
analysis provides for the detection of appropriate parents
and crosses superior in terms of the investigated
characters, so application of the analysis has been widely
used by plant breeders to selection in early generations.
The line x tester analysis method is used to estimates
favorable parents and crosses as well as GCA and SCA
effect (Bocianowski et al, 2015).
*Corresponding Author: Merdasa Balcha, Werer
Agricultural Research Center, Ethiopia, P.O. Box: 2003,
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
E-mail: balchamerdasa@gmail.com
Review Article
Vol. 6(1), pp. 498-507, March, 2019. © www.premierpublishers.org, ISSN: 2167-0449
International Journal of Plant Breeding and Crop Science

2. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Balcha et al. 499
Hybrid varieties are the first filial generations (F1) of
crosses between two or more pure lines, inbreds, open-
pollinated varieties, clones and other populations that are
genetically dissimilar (Singh, 2005). Hybrid cotton
production is routine in some countries, particularly India
and enjoyed little success in America primarily due to the
cost of hybrid seed production. As the term heterosis was
coined by Shull in 1914 and defined the heterosis or hybrid
vigour concept as the interpretation of increased vigor,
size, fruitfulness and speed of development resistance to
disease or climatic rigors of any type. The use of F1
heterosis has long been objectives of cotton breeders (Wu
et al., 2004). Cotton is highly amenable for both heterosis
and recombination breeding. In cotton, heterosis has the
potential for significantly improving yield from 10 to 20%
and of making improvements in fiber quality and pest
resistance (Meredith, 1998).
Heterosis has substantially remained as one of the
significant developments in cotton breeding programs
(Baloch et al., 2003; Baloch, 2004; Ganapathy and
Nadarajan, 2008; Khan et al., 2010). The use of F1
heterosis has long been objectives of cotton breeders (Wu
et al., 2004). The major limiting factor in using heterosis for
hybrid cotton production is the lack of an efficient and
dependable system for producing F1/F2 hybrids seed
mainly due to the ineffectiveness of the male gametocide
(Meredith and Brown, 1998), and the inconsistency results
from male sterile and restorer factors (Percy and Turcotte,
1991). On the other hand, Meredith (1998) also suggested
that major limiting factor for use of heterosis in cotton are
lack of dependable good combiners and efficient seed
production practices. Marani (1967), Stroman (1961) and
Wu et al., (2004) reported heterosis in cotton has been
observed in interspecific and intraspecific crosses. The
crosses between G. barbadense and G. hirsutum were
much more productive than either parent for objectionable
qualities in the hybrid. In cotton, exploitation of heterosis
is used to increase yields in countries where a high number
of labor force is available to make hand emasculation and
crossing (Chaudhry, 1997).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The present study was conducted at Werer Agricultural
Research Center, Amibara district, Afar National Regional
State and placed 280 km from Addis Ababa in the eastern
direction during 2017 cropping season. The material used
in the study comprised of thirty-two hybrids, 16 parents,
two tester and four checks as listed in Table 1 using line x
tester mating design following the method of Kempthorne
(1957). The experiment was laid out as alpha lattice design
in 6 x 9 arrangements with two replications. Each block
comprises 9 units (plots) having 5m long and 5 row wide
with the spacing of 0.90m between rows and 0.20m
between plants. Two seeds per hill were placed and later
thinned out and left with one healthy seedling per hill after
seedlings established well. All cultural practice was done
manually throughout the entire growing season as
required. Data of 17 qualitative and quantitative traits were
collected viz., days to initial squaring, days to initial
flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to initial boll
opening, days to 65% boll opening, number of bolls per
plant, plant height, average boll weight, seed cotton yield,
ginning percentage, lint yield, stand count, fiber length,
fiber strength, uniformity index, micronaire and fiber
elongation.
Table 1: Descriptions of the lines, testers and checks
Entries Stock ID Pedigree Code
1 CV142-1 LS-90 x Pima S3 5-7 x Deltapine-90 L1 x T1
2 CV142-2 HTO#052 x LS-90 24-7 x Deltapine-90 L2 x T1
3 CV142-3 HTO#052 x DP-90 21-7 x Deltapine-90 L3 x T1
4 CV142-4 Cucurova1518 X LG-450 35-4 X Deltapine-90 L4 x T1
5 CV142-5 ISA 205H x Beyaze altin/5 16-2 x Deltapine-90 L5 x T1
6 CV142-6 HS-46 x Stonevile 453 19-8 x Deltapine-90 L6 x T1
7 CV142-7 Stam 59 A x Cucurova 1518 30 -2 x Deltapine-90 L7 x T1
8 CV142-8 Delcero x Deltapine90 #F5-5-4-2-2 x Deltapine-90 L8 x T1
9 CV142-9 Nazilli-84 X HS-4 #F5-43-3-3-2 x Deltapine-90 L9 x T1
10 CV142-10 Sidha fage Farm No 3A4 DP-90 F1#44 x Deltapine-90 L10 x T1
11 CV142-11 Melka werer Farm 2 Farm no 51 DP-90 F1#103 x Deltapine-90 L11 x T1
12 CV142-12 Algeta Farm no AM 12c DP-90 F1#146 x Deltapine-90 L12 x T1
13 CV142-13 Farm no Ago1 DP-90 F1#334 x Deltapine-90 L13 x T1
14 CV142-14 Weyto Farm no M1 DP-90 F1#375 x Deltapine-90 L14 x T1
15 CV142-15 Europa x Stam 59A – 04-5 x Deltapine-90 L15 x T1
16 CV142-16 Brazilian x Deltapine-90 L16 x T1
17 CV142-17 LS-90 x Pima S3 5-7 x Werer-50 L1 x T2
18 CV142-18 HTO#052 x LS-90 24-7 x Werer-50 L2 x T2
19 CV142-19 HTO#052 x DP-90 21-7 x Werer-50 L3 x T2
20 CV142-20 Cucurova1518 x LG-450 35-4 x Werer-50 L4 x T2
21 CV142-21 ISA 205H x Beyaze altin/5 16-2 x Werer-50 L5 x T2
22 CV142-22 HS-46 x Stonevile 453 19-8 Werer-50 L6 x T2

3. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 500
Table 1: Continue
23 CV142-23 Stam 59 A x Cucurova 1518 30 -2 x Werer-50 L7 x T2
24 CV142-24 Delcero x Deltapine90 #F5-5-4-2-2 x Werer-50 L8 x T2
25 CV142-25 Nazilli-84 x HS-4 #F5-43-3-3-2 x Werer-50 L9 x T2
26
27
28
CV142-26
CV142-27
CV142-28
Sidha fage Farm No 3A4 DP-90 F1#44 x Werer-50
Melka werer Farm 2 Farm no 51 DP-90 F1#103 x Werer-50
Algeta Farm no AM 12c DP-90 F1#146 x Werer-50
L10 x T2
L11 x T2
L12 x T2
29 CV142-29 Farm no Ago1 DP-90 F1#334 x Werer-50 L13 x T2
30 CV142-30 Weyto Farm no M1 DP-90 F1#375 x Werer-50 L14 x T2
31 CV142-31 Europa X Stam 59A – 04-5 x Werer-50 L15 x T2
32 CV142-32 Brazilian x Werer-50 L16 x T2
Parental lines
33 LS-90 x Pima S3 5-7 P-1
34 HTO#052 x LS-90 24-7 P-2
35 HTO#052 x DP-90 21-7 P-3
36
37
Cucurova1518 x LG-450 35-4
ISA 205H x Beyaze altin/5 16-2
P-4
P-5
38 HS-46 x Stonevile 453 19-8 P-6
39 Stam 59 A x Cucurova 1518 30 -2 P-7
40 Delcero x Deltapine90 #F5-5-4-2-2 P-8
Entries Pedigree Code
41 Nazilli-84 x HS-4 #F5-43-3-3-2 P-9
42 Sidha fage Farm No 3A4 DP-90 F1#44 P-10
43 Melka werer Farm 2 Farm no 51 DP-90 F1#103 P-11
44 Algeta Farm no AM 12c DP-90 F1#146 P-12
45 Farm no Ago1 DP-90 F1#334 P-13
46 Weyto Farm no M1 DP-90 F1#375 P-14
47 Europa x Stam 59A – 04-5 P-15
48 Brazilian x Deltapine-90 P-16
Checks
49 Sisikuk-02 - OPV C-1
50
51
Weyto-07 – OPV C-2
Stam-59A – OPV C-3
52 Delcero x Deltapine90 #F5-5-4-2-2- OPV C-4
Testers
53 Deltapine-90 T-1
54 Werer-50 T-2
Data Analysis
The data collected for all agronomic and quality traits were
subjected to general analysis of variance using PROC
GLM procedure in SAS (SAS, 2004). The magnitude of
heterosis was estimated in relation to standard checks for
showed significant differences following the method
suggested by Falconer and Mackay (1996) and (Hayes et
al., 1955) as,
Mid parent heterosis/Relative Heterosis (%),
MPH(%) =
F1 − MP
MP
x100
Better parent heterosis/ heterobeltiosis (%),
BPH(%) =
F1 − BP
BP
x100
Where,
F1 ═ Mean performance of the crosses
SV = Mean value of best standard check (Weyto-07)
MP= Mid parent mean
Mid parent value is 𝑀𝑃 =
P1+P2
2
BP=Better parent mean
Standard heterosis,
𝑆𝐻(%) =
F1 − SV
SV
x100
F1 ═ Mean performance of the crosses
SV = Mean value of standard check
SH= Standard Heterosis
The differences in the magnitude of heterosis were tested
following the procedure given by Panse and Sukhatme
(1961). Test of significance for the three heterosis was
made by using the t-test. The standard errors of the
difference for heterosis and critical difference were
computed as follows;
SE (d) = √2MSe/r , for standard heterosis and better
parent heterosis
SE (d) = √3MSe/2r, for mid parent heterosis
CD = SE (d) x t, t value at error degree of freedom to 5
or 1% level of significance
Where, SE (d) =standard error of the difference
MSe = error mean square
r = number of replications
CD =Critical difference

4. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Balcha et al. 501
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Analysis of Variance
The analysis of variance included 32, 4, 16 and two F1
hybrids, standard checks, parent and tester respectively.
Analysis of variance showed that mean squares of
genotypes were significant at (P < 0.05) for traits of days
to initial squaring, days to initial flowering, days to 50%
flowering, days to initial boll opening, days to 65% boll
opening, number of bolls per plant, plant height, average
boll weight, seed cotton yield, ginning percentage, lint
yield, micronaire, fiber length, fiber strength and fiber
elongation (Table 2).
Table 2: Analysis of variances for the studied Cotton traits
Mean squares Statistics
Traits Block(10) Trt (53) Error (43) Mean CV (%) LSD (5%)
Days to initial squaring 2.27 6.15* 3.18 31.55 5.65 3.59
Days to initial flowering 2.33 9.34* 2.42 51.85 2.99 3.14
Days to 50% flowering 3.32 13.22** 2.46 59.58 2.63 3.16
Days to initial boll opening 1.71 32.57** 3.37 98.6 1.86 3.71
Days to 65% boll opening 3.08 65.44** 5.19 134.8 1.69 4.59
Number of bolls per plant 2.78 18.34** 1.72 15.79 8.31 2.65
Plant height (cm) 157.91 307.28** 89.75 88.05 10.76 19.12
Average boll weight (g) 0.60 0.69** 0.18 4.71 8.92 0.85
Seed cotton yield (t/ha) 8.97 89.11** 7.95 33.17 8.50 5.68
Ginning percentage (%) 2.45 11.27** 0.61 38.22 2.05 1.58
Lint yield (t/ha) 1.85 14.95** 1.03 12.68 8.01 2.05
Stand count 16.82 13.47ns 11.59 71.38 4.77 6.87
Micronaire(mg/inch) 0.08 0.57** 0.08 4.62 6.01 0.56
Fiber Length (mm) 0.75 19.75** 0.82 30.32 2.98 1.83
Uniformity Index (%) 30.44 29.26ns 19.61 82.89 5.34 8.93
Fiber Strength(g/tex) 2.09 27.50** 1.69 30.29 4.29 2.62
Fiber elongation (%) 0.25 1.00** 0.28 7.52 7.06 1.07
**and * indicate significance at 1 and 5% probability levels by F-test, ns = not significant by F-test, number in parenthesis
indicates degrees of freedom, trt(treatments) = parents + hybrids + lines + testers, LSD (5%)= least significant difference
at P < 0.05, CV (%)= coefficient of variation in percent
Estimates of Heterosis
Mid Parent Heterosis
Estimate of heterosis of F1 over mid parent computed for
11 yield, yield related and four fiber quality traits showed
significant differences among crosses as presented in
Table 3. The mid parent heterosis ranged from -24.67 to
55.01% in which both the lowest and highest values were
observed for seed cotton yield. A total of 28 hybrids
(87.5%) displayed significant heterosis over mid parent for
seed cotton yield. Hybrids L9 x T2 (55.01%), L10 x T1
(54.25%), L16 x T1 (54.18%), L11 x T1 (53.52%), L12 x T1
(49.02%) and L7 x T1 (47.41%) showed significant and
maximum positive heterosis for seed cotton yield that
indicating the predominance of non-additive gene action.
On the other hand, hybrids namely, L4 x T1 (-10.73%), L3
x T1 (-17.49%), L13 x T2 (-22.17%) and L3 x T2 (-24.67%)
showed minimum negative and significant mid parent
heterosis for seed cotton yield. The expression of mid
parent heterosis in both directions (negative and positive)
for seed cotton yield in cotton hybrids has been reported
by several researchers (Rauf et al., 2005; Zerihun and
Ratanadilok, 2007; Abro et al, 2009; Karademir et al.,
2009).
The mid parent heterosis fall in the range between -24.62
to 63.99% and -14.03 to 9.75% for lint yield and ginning
percentage, respectively, of which 23 and 18 hybrids
showed positive and significant heterosis for the former
and latter traits, respectively. A total of 8 and 6 hybrids
displayed negative and significant heterosis for lint yield
and ginning percentage, respectively. More importantly, 18
hybrids displayed positive and significant heterosis for
both economic importance traits, while only three hybrids
had negative and significant heterosis for both traits. The
observed range of mid parent heterosis for ginning
percentage was approaching same which was reported by
Tuteja (2014) and Monicashree et al. (2017).
The mid parent heterosis for average boll weight and
number of bolls per plant ranged from -12.4 to 26.13 and -
25.56 to 51.3%, respectively. A total of 30 and 22 hybrids
exhibited positive and significant mid parent heterosis for
number of bolls per plant and average boll weight,
respectively, while only one and 10 hybrids had negative
and significant mid parent heterosis for the former and
latter traits, respectively. The mid parent heterosis for plant
height ranged from -31.59 to 43.07% and 5 and 3 hybrids
displayed positive and negative significant mid parent
heterosis, respectively. Only two hybrids (L1 x T1 and L2
x T1) exhibited positive and significant mid parent
heterosis for all the three traits but none of the hybrids
displayed negative significant mid parent heterosis for all
the three aforementioned traits. A total of 20 hybrids for
average boll weight and number of bolls per plant and four

5. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 502
hybrids for number of bolls per plant and plant height had
positive and significant mid parent heterosis. In contrast,
only one hybrid (L14 x T1) displayed negative and
significant heterosis for number of bolls per plant and plant
height. Higher average boll weight over the mid parent was
reported by Mukhtar and Khan (2000), Abro et al. (2009)
and Monicashree et al. (2017). On other hand, Tigga et al.
(2017) noticed significant and positive mid parent
heterosis for seed cotton yield (55.33%), number of boll
per plant (54.15%), average boll weight (3.60%), ginning
percentage (9.89%) and plant height (25.74%) using two
hybrids and four parent material in which indicating the
predominance of non-additive gene action.
The hybrids displayed mid parent heterosis for
phenological traits in which range between -8.02 and
13.11%, -3.41 and 10.38%, and -6.22 and 8.33% for days
to initial squaring, days to initial flowering and days to 50%
flowering, respectively. A total of 18, 16 and 7 hybrids for
days to initial squaring, days to initial flowering and days
to 50% flowering, respectively, displayed positive and
significant heterosis. Whereas, 3, 5 and 5 hybrids
exhibited negative and significant mid parent heterosis for
days to initial squaring, days to initial flowering and days
to 50% flowering, respectively. The mid parent heterosis of
hybrids for days to initial boll opening and days to 65% boll
opening ranged from -1.79 to 6.86% and -1.71 to 7.81%,
respectively, in which none of the hybrids exhibited
negative and significant heterosis for these traits.
However, 9 and 14 hybrids had positive and significant mid
parent heterosis for days to initial boll opening and days to
65% boll opening, respectively. The three hybrids namely,
L1 x T1, L3 x T1 and L2 x T2 displayed positive and
significant mid parent heterosis for all phenological traits
while 4, 5 and 5 hybrids exhibited positive and significant
heterosis for 4, 3 and 2 out of 5 phenology traits,
respectively. In contrast, only four hybrids (L12 x T2, L13
x T2, L15 x T2 and L16 x T2) exhibited negative and
significant heterosis maximum for two traits (days to initial
flowering and days to 50% flowering) as negative heterosis
of phenological traits is a desirable traits in cotton
breeding.
Table 3: Mid parent heterosis for yield, yield related and fiber quality traits of cotton crosses at Werer in 2017 cropping season
Crosses DIS DIF DF DIBO DBO NBPP PH ABW SCY GP LY M FL FS FE
L1 x T1 9.52** 8.82** 8.33** 3.43* 5.99** 36.99** 43.07** 3.77** 42.00** -14.03** 21.81** -20.99** 15.86** 16.15** 17.17**
L2 x T1 12.00** 4.76** 5.39** 1.96 5.63** 21.33** 24.17** 2.14** 2.7 -12.70** -10.31** -15.12** 15.36** 10.18** 12.50**
L3 x T1 13.11** 10.24** 7.05** 6.47** 7.05** 24.54** -8.45 -3.96** -17.49** -3.01** -20.01** -17.06** 7.45** 19.45** -3.47**
L4 x T1 -2.44 3.09* 1.79 2.63 4.26* 14.47** -14.24 -2.17** -10.73** 0.69 -9.69** 7.84** -8.90** -19.76** -1.01**
L5 x T1 -1.61 0.5 0.88 1.04 5.20* 29.00** -18.10* 2.79** -0.55 2.37** 2.07* -11.08** -0.15 -2.47 12.99**
L6 x T1 -4.92** 2.02 0.88 1.04 5.04* 31.84** -3.95 2.90** -6.08* 0.64 -5.76** 10.48** 1.04 14.49** -5.84**
L7 x T1 -8.20** 0 0.44 -0.78 4.26* 51.30** -9.79 15.48** 47.41** 3.96** 53.39** 0.5 -1.8 -2.99 6.71**
L8 x T1 3.28* 4.08** 0.87 0.26 5.79** 35.37** -17.44 -4.36** 5.78* 3.56** 9.63** -1.42** -1.26 -1.24 -2.56**
L9 x T1 10.34** 1.48 3.51* -0.78 5.86** 42.28** -1.36 -11.36** 4.29 2.76** 6.87** -6.74** 3.86* -1.98 8.28**
L10 x T1 1.64 6.60** 2.16 1.55 4.43* 31.95** 8.33 4.96** 54.25** -1.35 51.85** -0.87* 1.39 5.05** 2.24**
L11 x T1 4.84** 0.98 0.87 5.51** 4.58* 37.17** 9.58 11.98** 53.52** 5.39** 61.49** 7.64** 3.72* -4.35** 9.59**
L12 x T1 5.08** 1.98 0.43 1.55 3.25 29.67** 1.56 26.13** 49.02** 2.29* 52.34** 4.09** 0.03 -4.91** 8.97**
L13 x T1 -0.83 5.37** 5.58** 0 5.20* 42.13** -8.1 4.25** 32.46** -1.5 30.22** -2.80** -1.74 3.05* 4.41**
L14 x T1 4.13* 5.58** -1.71 4.64** 7.81** -25.56** -31.59** 19.31** 21.11** -5.73** 14.63** -11.38** -1.16 -1.89 -7.74**
L15 x T1 -1.64 0.5 1.29 -1.79 2.5 25.76** 10.96 -4.47** 26.70** 7.74** 36.81** 0.35 -0.87 6.12** 11.31**
L16 x T1 -1.59 -3.41* -2.95* 2.35 3.63 24.35** -10.13 6.27** 54.18** 6.41** 63.99** 2.55** 3.63* 2.25 8.20**
L1 x T2 11.81** 9.71** 2.42 6.86** 3.4 6.62** 21.69** -12.40** 8.12** -12.28** -5.06** -13.82** 16.30** 16.86** 18.52**
L2 xT2 11.11** 10.38** 4.42** 6.37** 5.55** 12.69** 38.88** -12.24** 34.67** -8.84** 22.82** -18.26** 13.72** 15.73** 19.86**
L3 x T2 12.20** 7.25** 4.42** 5.97** 1.96 1.13 -19.41* 2.56** -24.67** -0.26 -24.62** -22.08** 2.02 9.20** 2.07**
L4 x T2 3.23* 6.12** 0 0 1.91 10.42** 23.68* 9.42** 27.36** -0.66 26.90** 5.76** -7.96** -15.96** -5.19**
L5 x T2 -4.00* -0.5 -2.54 -0.52 -1.71 18.23** -15.59 -7.59** 9.21** 5.24** 15.65** -5.65** -1.05 7.98** 12.46**
L6 x T2 2.44 5.00** 0 0.52 0.38 14.92** 10.88 -3.94** 24.01** 2.00* 26.43** 8.25** 0.83 2.13 6.05**
L7x T2 0.81 2 -0.43 1.3 2.67 23.16** 14.1 15.32** 13.65** 2.59** 17.13** 3.73** 0.31 10.64** 6.99**
L8 x T2 0.81 4.04** -2.52 3.41* 1.52 21.82** -2.31 14.75** 37.57** 2.43** 41.45** -2.45** 1.98 5.29** -1.75***
L9 x T2 5.98** 2.44 2.54 0.26 3.85 22.00** 13.04 2.25** 55.01** 1.94* 58.06** 3.22** 0.94 6.28** 15.59**
L10 x T2 5.69** 5.53** 3.77* 4.15* 2.47 11.79** 5.31 -8.29** 34.76** 3.18** 39.18** 6.44** -0.64 6.12** -9.79**
L11 x T2 7.20** 1.94 0 2.36 2.63 20.91** -5.46 18.06** 15.67** 6.96** 23.88** 17.16** 6.07** 8.88** 2.64**
L12 x T2 9.24** -2.94* -5.44** 0 0.94 23.05** -10.86 20.00** 35.46** 4.08** 41.23** -0.31 4.33* -1.92 10.22**
L13 x T2 3.28* -2.42 -6.22** 0.52 1.33 17.60** 6.58 4.94** -22.17** -1.78 -23.65** 3.86** -2.87 8.27** -4.48**
L14 x T2 4.92** 3.52* -5.79** -1.03 1.54 24.88** -6.18 24.76** -2.29 -0.07 -1.98* 0.1 0.11 6.36** -11.85**
L15 x T2 2.44 -2.46 -5.39** 0.26 2.46 35.53** 14.86 10.94** 29.71** 9.75** 43.19** -2.20** -4.34* 10.28** 8.09**
L16 x T2 -2.36 -3.38* -4.49** 1.31 -0.19 19.69** 1.44 14.14** 42.10** 4.42** 48.54** -0.4 2.52* 5.52** -2.16**
SE(+) 1.26 1.12 1.15 1.26 1.61 0.95 7.11 0.38 1.97 0.72 0.75 0.21 0.67 0.63 0.12
CD (5%) 3.14 2.78 2.86 3.13 4 2.37 17.67 0.95 4.89 1.78 1.85 1.03 3.3 3.11 0.6
CD (1%) 4.21 3.73 3.83 4.2 5.37 3.18 23.69 1.27 6.56 2.39 2.48 1.37 4.4 4.14 0.8
*and**, significant at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively, SE =standard error of mean, CD = critical difference, DIS=days to initial
squaring, DIF= days to initial flowering, DF= days to 50% flowering, DIBO= days to initial boll opening, DBO= days to 65% boll
opening, NBPP= number of bolls per plant, PH= plant height, ABW= average` boll weight, SCY= seed cotton yield, GP= ginning,
percentage and LY= lint yield, M= micronaire, FL= fiber length, FS= fiber strength and FE= fiber elongation

6. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Balcha et al. 503
Twelve and 15 hybrids exhibited positive and negative mid
better parent heterosis, respectively, and ranged from -
22.08 (L3 x T2) to 17.16% (L11 x T2) for micronaire.
Hybrids L2 x T2 (-18.26%), L1 x T1 (-20.99%) and L3 x T
(-22.08%) were among minimum negative mid parent
heterosis for micronaire, while hybrids L6 x T1 (10.48%)
and L11 x T2 (17.16%) are among the top highly significant
for micronaire which is undesirable traits in cotton
breeding. Eleven, 20 and 21 hybrids showed positive and
significant mid parent heterosis for fiber elongation, fiber
strength and fiber length, respectively. Mid parent
heterosis ranged from -11.85 to 19.86%, -19.76 to 19.45%
and -8.90 to 16.30% for aforementioned traits,
respectively. Five hybrids i.e. L1 x T1, L2 x T1, L1 x T2, L2
x T2 and L11 x T2 displayed positive and significant mid
parent heterosis for fiber length, fiber strength and fiber
elongation, while 2, 8, 3, 2 and 2 hybrids showed positive
and significant heterosis for fiber length and fiber strength,
fiber strength and fiber elongation, fiber length and fiber
elongation, micronaire and fiber elongation, and
micronaire and fiber strength, respectively. Patil et al.,
(2012) reported highest heterosis over mid and better
parent varied from low to medium for fiber strength fiber,
elongation and fiber strength. Similar results were reported
by Bolek et al. (2010) and Ashokkumar et al. (2013) for
fiber strength, fiber strength and micronaire.
Better Parent Heterosis
Estimate of better parent heterosis computed for 11 yield,
yield related and four fiber quality traits presented in Table
4. Better parent heterosis ranged from -25.56 to 50.66%, -
28.13 to 56.12% and -16.95 to 6.44% for seed cotton yield,
lint yield and ginning percentage, respectively. Hybrid L9 x
T2 (50.66%) exhibited highest positive better parent
heterosis followed by hybrids L12 x T1 (46.49%), L16 x T1
(46.29%), L11 x T1 (42.11%) and L10 x T1 (38.74%) for
seed cotton yield. Eighteen, 21 and 7 hybrids displayed
positive and maximum better parent heterosis for seed
cotton yield, lint yield and ginning percentage,
respectively, whereas 7, 9 and 15 hybrids exhibited
negative and significant better parent heterosis for
aforementioned traits, respectively. Out of all hybrids, only
four hybrids displayed positive better parent heterosis for
most important economic traits viz. seed cotton yield, lint
yield and ginning percentage, while 14 hybrids exhibited
positive and maximum heterosis for two former traits
whereas only two hybrids had better parent heterosis for
two latter above mentioned traits. Previous studies also
reported different magnitude of better parent heterosis for
seed cotton yield and ginning percentage traits. Sawarkar
et al. (2015) reported significant positive and negative
better heterosis for seed cotton yield and ginning
percentage. Other author also report similar result for
above mentioned traits (Patil et. al., 2012; Tigga et al.,
2017).
Table 4: Better parent heterosis for agro-morphological and fiber quality traits of cotton crosses evaluated at Werer in
2017 cropping season
Crosses DIS DIF DF DIBO DBO NBPP PH ABW SCY GP LY M FL FS FE
L1 x T1 2.99 3.74* 0.78 -2.76 -0.34 2.11 41.95** -9.82** 34.48** -16.95** 11.72** -33.93** 2.50* 1.22 11.54**
L2 x T1 6.06** -2.65 -2.31 -4.15* -0.68 -1.35 12.37 -13.09** 1.03 -13.38** -11.05** -25.02** 3.30** -5.5** 9.62**
L3 x T1 9.52** 4.63** -0.77 1.42 0.34 1 -14.38 -8.82** -17.90** -3.11** -20.28** -25.22** -4.05** 3.04** -4.97**
L4 x T1 -6.25** 3.09 0.88 2.09 4.26 10.20** -14.83 -9.57** -11.49** -2.76** -12.02** -7.52** -14.64** -3.2* -5.77**
L5 x T1 -6.15** -1.96 -1.71 0 4.60* 16.78** -21.01* -1.34* -10.00** -0.34 -5.33** -14.38** -0.35 -3.1** 11.54**
L6 x T1 -7.94** 0 -1.71 0.52 5.04* 17.44** -5.77 2.53** -14.77** -1.44 -16.07** 0.59* 0.09 -17** -7.05**
L7 x T1 -11.11** -1.98 -1.72 -1.55 4.26 48.66** -10.88 15.27** 34.50** 1.78 42.75** 0.4 -3.23** -3.4** 6.37**
L8 x T1 0 3.03 -2.52 0 5.38* 31.18** -18.28 -4.36** -4.07 3.37** -0.54 -2.14** -2.45* -3.8** -2.56**
L9 x T1 8.47** -2.83 0.85 -1.04 5.04* 41.13** -1.56 -19.94** -0.27 -1.17 -1.5 -9.69** 2.58** -3.2** 0.64**
L10 x T1 -1.59 5.00** -1.67 0.51 3.83 20.76** 4.66 -0.97 38.74** -3.19** 34.48** -4.75** -0.18 4.11** 1.91**
L11 x T1 0 -3.74* -2.52 5.24** 3.01 36.44** 8.21 3.64** 42.11** 4.56** 48.32** -3.86** 2.01* -8.5** 2.56**
L12 x T1 5.08** -1.9 -3.33* 0 1.89 20.43** -0.75 16.73** 46.49** 0.52 47.22** 0.69* -0.21 -9.8** 5.13**
L13 x T1 -3.23 0 0.82 -1.52 4.60* 35.70** -8.4 2.55** 24.68** -2.56* 21.29** -12.46** -4.40** -1.3 -1.28**
L14 x T1 1.61 4.00* -6.50** 3.05 6.98** -33.75** -33.08** 13.45** 12.72** -7.43** 8.44** -12.82** -1.41 -3.2** -12.18**
L15 x T1 -4.76* -2.88 -3.28* -4.00* 1.52 17.47** 5.74 -10.55** 25.14** 0.75 29.67** -1.48** -2.44* 4.8** 3.89**
L16 x T1 -7.46* -8.33** -8.73** 2.08 2.26 21.17** -12.05 2.01** 46.29** 6.04** 56.12** 1.85** 3.08** -2.5** 5.77**
L1 x T2 5.97** 5.61** -1.55 0.46 -1.37 -20.32** 17.64 -24.56** 0.8 -15.01** -13.81** -26.92** 2.75** 0.81 17.65**
L2 x T2 6.06** 3.54* 0 0 0.68 -8.08** 30.66** -25.98** 34.64** -9.28** 22.45** -26.71** 1.68 -1.69 22.06**
L3 x T2 9.52** 2.78 0 0.95 -3.05 -17.73** -21.53* -1.63** -25.55** -0.45 -25.21** -28.66** -9.02** -6.74** 8.82**
L4 x T2 0 5.05** -2.52 -0.52 0.38 6.72** 19.46 2.16** 24.21** -4.33** 25.01** -7.98** -13.9** -29.5** -5.88**
L5 x T2 -7.69** -1.96 -3.36* -1.54 -2.63 7.41** -16.04 -10.37** -2.63 2.16* 6.15** -10.62** -1.09 7.38** 16.18**
L6 x T2 0 3.96* -0.84 0 -1.13 2.73* 4.44 -4.63** 14.26** -0.39 13.73** 0.1 0.04 -2.54* 9.56**
L7 X T2 -1.59 0.99 -1.68 0.52 1.13 20.53** 10.77 13.88** 2.14 0.15 7.87** 2.08** -1.01 8.84** 12.50**
L8 x T2 -1.59 4.04* -2.52 3.14 0.38 17.60** -7.19 13.52** 22.91** 1.94 27.03** -4.78** 0.61 1.38 2.94**
L9 x T2 3.33 -0.94 1.68 0 1.5 20.53** 8.24 -6.74** 50.66** -2.24* 47.21** 1.64** -0.16 3.73** 11.76**
L10 x T2 3.17 5.00** 3.33* 3.08 1.5 2.68 4.56 -12.58** 23.05** 0.95 24.50** 3.99** -2.33* 3.94** -5.15**
L11 x T2 3.08 -1.87 0 2.09 2.63 20.74** -10.39 8.19** 5.44 6.44** 12.61** 6.24** 4.48** 3** 0
L12 x T2 8.33** -5.71** -5.83** -1.52 0.75 13.87** -12.53 9.96** 35.40** 1.98 37.99** -1.94** 4.25** -8.01** 11.03**

7. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 504
Table 4: Continue
L13 x T2 1.61 -6.48** -7.38** -1.02 0.38 12.71** 1.92 2.14** -25.56** -3.12** -28.13** -5.02** -5.64** 2.5** -5.88**
L14 x T2 3.23 3 -7.32** -2.54 -0.75 11.53** -8.02 17.44** -10.45** -2.15* -8.26** -3.16** -0.29 3.72** -12.50**
L15 x T2 0 -4.81** -6.56** -2 1.88 26.13** 5.23 2.85** 26.01** 2.33* 37.19** -2.35** -5.71** 7.64** 22.79**
L16 x T2 -7.46** -7.41** -7.14** 1.04 -0.38 17.09** -4.67 10.70** 37.01** 4.37** 42.96** -2.73** 2.13* -0.5 0
SE(+ ) 1.26 1.12 1.15 1.26 1.61 0.95 7.11 0.38 1.97 0.72 0.75 0.21 0.67 0.63 0.12
CD (5%) 3.59 3.18 3.27 3.58 4.58 2.71 20.21 1.08 5.59 2.04 2.12 0.59 1.9 1.79 0.35
CD (1%) 4.79 4.24 4.35 4.78 6.11 3.61 26.94 1.44 7.46 2.71 2.82 0.79 2.54 2.39 0.46
*and**, significant at P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively. SE = standard error of mean, CD = critical difference, DIS=days
to initial squaring, DIF=days to initial flowering, DF= days to 50% flowering, DIBO= days to initial boll opening, DBO= days
to 65% boll opening, NBPP= number of bolls per plant, PH= plant height, ABW= average boll weight, SCY= seed cotton
yield, GP= ginning percentage, LY= lint yield, M= micronaire, FL= fiber length, FS= fiber strength and FE= fiber elongation
All most half (16) and 15 hybrids displayed positive and
negative significant better parent heterosis for average boll
weight, respectively, which ranged from -25.98 to 17.44%.
Better parent heterosis for plant height and number of boll
per plant ranged from -33.08 to 41.95% and -33.75 to
48.66%, respectively. Two and 23 hybrids had positive and
maximum significant better parent heterosis for plant
height and number of boll per plant, respectively. Different
magnitude of better parent heterosis for the traits were
reported by Tuteja (2014) and Solanke et al. (2015).
Phenological traits namely, days to initial squaring, days to
initial flowering, days to 50% flowering, days to initial boll
opening and days to 65% boll opening displayed positive
and significant better parent for 8, 10, 1, 1, 6 hybrids,
respectively which ranged from -11.11 to 9.52%, -8.33 to
5.61%, -8.73 to 4.35, -4.15 to 5.24% and -3.05 to 6.98%,
respectively. None of hybrids showed negative and
significant better parent heterosis for days to 65% boll
opening.
On other hand, 7, 10, 12 and 15 hybrids exhibited positive
and significant better parent for micronaire, fiber length,
fiber strength and fiber elongation, respectively, whereas
the heterosis ranged respective from -33.93 to 6.24%, -
14.64 to 4.48%, -32.07 to 8.84% and -17.83 to 13.48%.
Two hybrids (L4 x T1 and L4 x T2) showed negative and
significant better parent across all traits in which negative
value of heterosis had advantage for only micronaire traits.
Moreover, 21.85%, 3.13%, 18.75% and 3.13% of hybrids
displayed positive and significant better parent heterosis
for fiber length and fiber elongation, micronaire and fiber
elongation, fiber strength and fiber elongation, and fiber
length and fiber strength, respectively. Boleck et al. (2010)
and Ashokkumar et al. (2013) reported related result for
micronaire, fiber length and fiber strength.
Standard Heterosis
The standard heterosis (SH) computed for 15 traits over
best standard check presented in Table 5. Among positive
and significant heterosis hybrids, hybrids L9 x T2, L10 x
T1, L16 x T1, L10 x T2, L16 x T2 and L12 x T1 exhibited
highest standard heterosis for lint yield over standard
check. Standard heterosis ranged from -28.99 to 60.15%,
-14.49 to 21.09% and 27.70 to 64.95% for seed cotton
yield, ginning percentage and lint yield over standard
check in case for seed cotton yield as similar result was
reported by authors, Sawarkar et al. (2015), Adsare et al.
(2017) and Lingaraja, et al. (2017).
Seventeen, 26 and 22 hybrids exhibited positive and
significant standard heterosis over standard check
(Weyto-07) for seed cotton yield, ginning percentage and
lint yield, respectively. Among total crosses, 17, 5 and 18
hybrids showed positive and significant standard heterosis
for abovementioned traits over both standard check. Only
five hybrids (L6 x T1, L9 x T1, L5 x T2, L7 x T2 and L11 x
T2) showed positive and significant standard heterosis
over standard check for ginning percentage and lint yield.
More importantly, 5 hybrids displayed positive and
significant heterosis for three economic importance traits
mentioned above over standard check, while only three
hybrids had negative and significant standard heterosis.
The result of this research coincide with the result of
Solanke et al. (2015) and Monicashree et al. (2017).
Other crucial traits had great contribution in seed cotton
yield increment viz. number of boll per plant, plant height
and average boll weight ranged from -28.02 to 76.31%, -
40.07 to 27.13% and -32.25 to 7.82% over standard check
(Weyto-07). Beside this, hybrids L1 x T1 and L14 x T1
showed maximum and minimum standard heterosis,
respectively, for number boll per plant and plant height.
Among hybrids, 23, one and 9 hybrids displayed positive
and significant standard heterosis over standard check
(Weyto-07) for aforementioned three traits, respectively.
Five hybrids exhibited positive and significant standard
heterosis for both average boll weight and number of boll
per plant over standard check and check mean,
respectively. Only one hybrid (L1 x T1) showed positive
and significant for traits plant height and number of boll per
plant over checks. The observed magnitude of mid parent
heterosis for the traits in line with reported by Tuteja and
Agrawal (2013), Ranganatha, et al. (2013) and Lingaraja
et al. (2017).
In phenological traits, 24, 11, 9, 12 and 13 hybrids
displayed positive and significant standard heterosis over
standard check (Weyto-07) for days to 65% boll opening,
days to initial boll opening, days to 50% flowering, days to
initial flowering and days to initial squaring, respectively.
On the other hand, standard heterosis over standard
check (Weyto-07) ranged 0.78 to 15.18%, 0 to 14.74%, -
3.42 to 11.11, -2.94 to 14.71%, -8.20 to 16.39% for days
to 65% boll opening, days to initial boll opening, days to
50% flowering, days to initial flowering and days to initial
squaring, respectively. Seven hybrids namely, L1 x T1, L2
x T1, L3 x T1, L1 x T2, L2 x T2, L3 x T2 and L10 x T2

8. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Balcha et al. 505
exhibited positive and significant for all phenological traits
over standard check. Four hybrids for days to initial boll
opening and days to 65% boll opening, 2 hybrids for days
to initial boll opening and days 65% boll opening and 2
hybrids for days to initial flowering, days to initial 50%
flowering and 65% boll opening were displayed positive
and significant standard heterosis over standard check.
None of hybrids showed negative and significant standard
heterosis over standard check for maturity i.e. days to 65%
boll opening. The results are in conformity with Tuteja and
Agrawal (2013), Ranganatha, et al. (2013) and Lingaraja
et al. (2017) for days to 50 % flowering and initial boll
opening.
In quality traits, 21.86% and 68.75% hybrids showed
significant negative and positive standard heterosis over
standard check (Weyto-07) for micronaire, respectively,
and ranged from -26.75 (L1 x T1) to 14.47% (L16 x T1).
Twenty two, 28, 17 and 25 displayed positive and
significant for micronaire, fiber length, fiber strength and
fiber elongation, respectively and ranged from -3.34 to
37.32%, -14.56 to 36.84% and -22.08 to 37.50% for three
latter traits, respectively, over standard check. Five hybrids
namely, L16 x T1, L7 x T2, L9 x T2, L11 x T2 and L13 x T2
showed positive and significant heterosis for all tested
traits. Four, 5, 7, 3, 3 and one hybrids showed positive and
significant standard heterosis over standard check for the
traits of 2, 2, 2, 3 and 2, respectively. Hybrids L1 x T1, L2
x T1, L3 x T1, L1 x T2, L2 x T2 and L3 x T2 among the
best for all quality traits to desirable direction. Patil et al.
(2012) reported positive and significant standard heterosis
over standard check with high value of 9.35% for fiber
length, 6.21% for fiber elongation and 11.36% for
microniare. Similar result were reported by Tuteja and
Agrawal (2013), Sajjad et al. (2015) and Lingaraja et al.
(2017)
Table 5: Standard heterosis over Weyto - 07 for agro-morphological and fiber quality traits of cotton crosses evaluated
at Werer in 2017 cropping season
Crosses DIS DIF DF DIBO DBO NBPP PH ABW SCY GP LY M FL FS FE
L1 x T1 13.11** 8.82** 11.1** 11.05** 13.62** 76.31** 27.13** -19.22** 24.01** -14.49** 5.58** -26.75** 36.98** 31.23** 27.94**
L2 x T1 14.75** 7.84** 8.55** 9.47** 13.23** 33.49** 0.63 -22.15** -3.69 -10.81** -14.53**-16.89** 34.32** 27.19** 25.74**
L3 x T1 13.11** 10.78** 10.3** 12.63** 15.18** 37.59** -23.32* -9.12** -23.52** -0.24 -24.1** -17.11** 25.53** 36.84** 12.50**
L4 x T1 -1.64 -1.96 -2.56 2.63 4.67* 0.91 -23.72* -4.56** -18.38** 7.48** -12.3** 2.52** 0.43 -5.61** 8.09**
L5 x T1 0 -1.96 -1.71 2.63 6.23** 22.10** -29.26**-3.91** -17.00** 8.35** -10.54**2.52** 2.47** -6.67** 27.94**
L6 x T1 -4.92** -0.98 -1.71 2.11 5.45** 27.33** -12.28 -7.49** -3.54 5.85** 1.54** 11.51** 0.92 -14.56** 6.62**
L7 x T1 -8.2** -2.94* -2.56 0.53 4.67* 25.97** -20.19* 3.26** 24.04** 9.38** 34.9** 11.29** -0.5 -6.14** 22.79**
L8 x T1 3.28 0 -0.85 0.53 6.62** 11.16** -25.29* -14.33** -11.53** 6.82** -6.01** 10.09** 2.77** -2.28** 11.76**
L9 x T1 4.92** 0.98 0.85 0 5.45** 19.59** -11.48 -11.07** 0.77 10.18** 10.40** 0.11 5.48** -4.39** 15.44**
L10 x T11.64 2.94* 0.85 3.16 5.45** 23.23** -6.27 0 60.15** 3.55** 64.8** 5.59** 5.92** 2.11 17.65**
L11 x T16.56** 0.98 -0.85 5.79** 6.62** 16.86** -0.6 -7.17** 31.05** 7.66** 40.20** 6.58** 4.89** -3.51** 17.65**
L12 x T11.64 0.98 -0.85 3.68* 5.06* 2.05 -11.11 4.56** 39.83** 7.21** 49.20** 11.62** 2.61** -3.16** 20.59**
L13 x T1-1.64 5.88** 5.13** 2.11 6.23** 26.42** -17.42 -8.14** 30.28** 2.52** 32.83** -2.96** 3.93** 3.86** 13.24**
L14 x T13.28 1.96 -1.71 6.84** 7.39** -28.02** -40.07**1.63** 3.95 -1.13 2.48** -0.11 1.88** -4.21** 0.74
L15 x T1-1.64 -0.98 0.85 1.05 3.89 -0.46 4.54 -19.87** 15.40** 19.22** 36.82** 9.21** 0.32 3.51** 37.50**
L16 x T11.64 -2.94* -1.71 3.16 5.45** 8.20** -17.72 -0.65 50.29** 9.19** 63.20** 14.47** 5.99** 3.51** 21.32**
L1 x T2 16.39** 10.78** 8.55** 14.74** 12.45** 37.59** 3.7 -30.94** -3.87 -13.02** -16.68**-21.71** 37.32** 30.70** -13.82**
L2 x T2 14.75** 14.71** 11.1** 14.21** 14.79** 24.37** 7.51 -32.25** 28.41** -7.15** 18.38** -21.49** 32.22** 32.28** -18.26**
L3 x T2 13.11** 8.82** 11.1** 12.11** 11.28** 12.07** -35.44**-1.95** -28.99** 2.28** -27.70**-23.57** 19.03** 23.86** -22.08**
L4 x T2 4.92** 1.96 -0.85 0 3.89 -2.28 5.51 7.82** 18.46** 5.74** 24.56** -1.43** 1.32* -2.11 5.76***
L5 x T2 -1.64 -1.96 -1.71 1.05 0.78 12.30** -30.16**-12.70** -7.14* 11.07** 2.62** 7.02** 1.39* 2.11 -5.65*
L6 x T2 3.28 2.94* 0.85 1.58 2.33 11.39** -2.77 -12.70** 29.32** 6.97** 37.59** 7.24** 2.54* 0.88 8.25**
L7 x T2 1.64 0 0 2.63 4.67* 2.96* -3.2 4.24** -2.58 7.63** 4.29** 12.94** 1.48* 5.79** 3.73**
L8 x T2 1.64 0.98 -0.85 3.68* 3.89 0.46 -15.15 3.91** 17.22** 5.34** 22.8** 7.13** 5.99** 2.98** -2.45**
L9 x T2 1.64 2.94* 3.42* 1.05 5.06* 2.96* -2.67 3.58** 52.23** 8.99** 64.95** 8.88** 2.35** 2.46* 3.22**
L10 x T2 6.56** 2.94* 5.98** 5.79** 5.06* 4.78** -12.71 -11.73** 42.04** 7.99** 52.6** 11.40** 3.65** 1.93 6.44**
L11 x T2 9.84** 2.94* 1.71 2.63 6.23** 3.42** -17.68 -0.98* 0.56 8.94** 8.86** 13.82** 7.09** 8.60** 17.16**
L12 x T2 6.56** -2.94* -3.42* 2.11 4.28* -2.73* -25.23* 0.65 29.25** 8.76** 39.82** 5.04** 6.86** -1.23 -0.31
L13 x T2 3.28 -0.98 -3.42* 2.63 3.89 5.01** -8.11 -6.52** -22.22** 1.94** -21.28**1.75** 2.58** 7.89** 3.86**
L14 x T2 4.92** 0.98 -2.56 1.05 2.72 21.18** -21.22* 7.49** -14.59** 4.51** -11.31**10.96** 3.04** 2.63* 0.1
L15 x T2 3.28 -2.94* -2.56 3.16 5.45** 7.74** 4.04 -5.86** 20.18** 21.09** 44.80** 4.61** -3.34** 6.32** -2.20**
L16 x T2 1.64 -1.96 0 2.11 3.11 4.56** -10.81 7.82** 40.76** 6.82** 49.40** 9.32** 4.69** 5.61** -0.4
SE(+) 1.15 0.97 1.06 1.15 1.39 0.85 6.9 0.31 0.21 0.46 0.08 0.22 0.57 1.08 0.37
CD (5%) 3.29 2.79 3.04 3.3 3.98 2.43 19.8 0.88 6.03 1.32 0.22 0.45 1.16 2.19 0.74
CD (1%) 4.41 3.74 4.07 4.42 5.34 3.26 26.54 1.19 8.09 1.78 0.3 0.61 1.55 2.93 1
* and ** significant at (P < 0.05) and (P < 0.01) respectively, CD= critical difference, SE= standard error of mean, DIS=days
to initial squaring, DIF=days to initial flowering, DF =days to 50% flowering, DIBO= days to initial boll opening, DBO= days
to 65% boll opening, NBPP= number of bolls per plant, PH= plant height, ABW=average boll weight, SCY= seed cotton
yield, GP= ginning percentage, LY= lint yield, , M= micronaire, FL= fiber length, FS= fiber strength and FE= Fiber
elongation.

9. Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at Werer, Ethiopia
Int. J. Plant Breed. Crop Sci. 506
CONCLUSIONS
Analysis of variance showed significant difference among
tested genotypes. This indicating that there were
sufficiently of genetic variability among the parental lines
and most desirable crosses were involved for hybrids
production. The magnitude of mid, better parent and
standard heterosis, ranged from -24.67 to 55.01%, -25.56
to 50.66% and -28.99 to 60.15% for seed cotton yield,
respectively. The minimum heterosis was observed for
hybrids L3 x T2, L13 x T2 and L3 x T2, while the maximum
was exhibited by hybrids L9 x T2, L9 x T2 and L10 x T1
displayed positive and significant mid, better parent and
standard heterosis for seed cotton yield, respectively.
Moreover, L10 x T1, L9 x T2, L15 x T2 and L1 x T2 hybrids
had positive and significant standard heterosis over
standard check (Weyto-07) for seed cotton, lint yield,
ginning percentage and fiber length, respectively in which
there is feasibility of heterosis breeding through utilizing
the best parents. In addition, L1 x T1, L3 x T1 and L9 x T1
hybrids had positive and significant standard heterosis for
number of boll per plant, fiber strength and average boll
weight, respectively. Among the hybrids, L16 x T1, L3 x T1
and L15 x T1 exhibited positive and significant standard
heterosis for micronaire, fiber strength and fiber
elongation, respectively. The results suggested the
presence of exploitable heterosis in the F1 crosses and
encourage conducting subsequent hybrids experiments in
the country.
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Accepted 29 January 2019
Citation: Balcha M, Mohammed W, Desalegn Z, Gudeta
B (2019). Heterosis Studies for Agro-morphological and
Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Hybrids at
Werer, Ethiopia. International Journal of Plant Breeding
and Crop Science, 6(1): 498-507.
Copyright: © 2019: Balcha et al. This is an open-access
article distributed under the terms of the Creative
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use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium,
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