Relative Performance of F₁ and F₂ Hybrids from Doubled Haploids and Their Parent Varieties in Upland Cotton, <i>Gossypium hirsutum</i> L.¹

Abstract

Three doubled haploids were compared to their parent varieties in their ability to produce F 1 and F 2 hybrids, their interaction with locations, and the type of gene action involved. Doubled haploids were similar to their parent varieties in productivity of their crosses, interaction with locations, and type of gene action. Both F 1 and F 2 hybrids tended to give more consistent performances over all four locations than their parents. For lint yield, F 1 hybrids were no better than the highest yielding parents. However, the F 1 hybrids produced better combinations of yield and fiber properties. Lint yield and its components showed considerable dominance effects while fiber properties tended to be inherited in an additive manner. For the six crosses and nine characteristics studied, only one case of significant epistasis was detected. The minimum within‐variety variability makes doubled haploids a useful tool in many genetic experiments. However, there is no indication that, in a cotton breeding program, doubled haploids differ from other varieties of similar genetic background.