MORPHOLOGY AND BREEDING BEHAVIOR OF COTTON HAPLOIDS

Abstract

Haploids of two cotton species Gossypium barbadense L. andG. hirsutum L. were produced by using the semigametic strain VSg-7. They were identified by a genetic marker, Miniature stature, their small leaves and flowers, and anther indehiscence. Haploids and diploids differed significantly from each other in seven characteristics and the differences in four of them were close to 2:1, the same as the chromosome ratio. Haploids of G. hirsutum were completely sterile, while those of G. barbadense showed some fertility as evidenced by an apparent 2% diads in PMCs, 3% functional pollen, 6% crossing, and fruit-setting in 43% of the haploids.