DefinePK

Abstract

The present experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications in order to estimate the genetic divergence, correlation and path analysis in ten upland cotton genotypes. The mean squares revealed highly significant differences (P<0.05) for all the investigated traits among the tested genotypes, proving that used genetic resources showed a great potential for further breeding experiments. On the basis of mean performance, the variety NB-111 displayed desirable performance for variety of traits, unveiling its importance in cotton breeding programs. The results also exhibited that plant height, bolls plant-1, boll weight and seed index developed positive and significant (P<0.05) associations with seed cotton yield plant-1. Pertaining to path analysis, maximum positive direct effects to seed cotton yield palnt-1 was contributed by bolls plant-1, followed by boll weight, GOT% and seed index. This demonstrates that genotypes possessing higher extent of these traits may be chosen in selection for developing high yielding cotton genotypes. Considering genetic distance, diverse parents with broad genetic distance were also identified, signifying their importance for upcoming hybridization programs in cotton crop. 
Keywords: Genetic distance; Correlation; Path analysis; Upland cotton; Seed cotton yield
http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2017.600163