Diallel analysis in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) for water stress tolerance

Abstract Information about combining ability is important in determining breeding strategies. The objective of this study was to estimate the general (GCA) and specific (SCA) combining abilities among twenty cotton hybrid combinations submitted to water stress, based on agronomic traits. The trails were carried out in semiarid environment (Barbalha, CE), during two years, in dry season under irrigation, and submitted to 23 days of water suppression. Wide variability was verified among parents and their hybrids, with additive effects to seed yield, lint percentage, blooming and boll weight. Dominance effect was found only to plant height. The combinations BRS 286 x CNPA 5M, BRS RUBI x CNPA 5M, FM 966 x CNPA 5M and BRS 286 x BRS Seridó showed the best SCAs and averages for the majority of the traits. In addition, at least one of their parents had high CGA. These combinations must be advanced in cotton breeding program.