Evaluation of genetic parameters of agro-morpho-quality traits in American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

In the present study, forty American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) genotypes of diverse origin were evaluated to observe the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for yield and fibre quality traits. The analysis ovariance study indicated the presence of significant difference among all the traits. The highest PCV and GCVwere observed for the number of monopodia per plant, followed by seed cotton yield per plant. Genotypic coefficientsof variation had a similar trend as the phenotypic coefficient of variation indicating a less environmental effect onthe expression of the traits. High heritability along with high genetic advance was observed in seed cotton yield perplant. The high heritability was recorded for the traits viz., days to 50% flowering, the number of monopodia perplant, the number of sympodia per plant, boll weight, seed index, ginning outturn, 2.5% span length, bundle strengthand seed cotton yield per plant. The high genetic advance was also observed for seed cotton yield per plantindicating the use of simple selection for the improvement of this character in the future breeding programmes