Genetic parameters, correlation and path analysis of agro-morphological traits in elite genotypes of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

The experimental material for the present investigation comprised of 40 elite genotypes of upland cotton with one check (H 1098i). All the genotypes and checks were sown in the experimental area of the Cotton Section, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar. Based on the mean performance genotypes viz., H 1480, H 1489, H 1508, H 1530, H 1542, H 1556 and H 1557 had high mean values for different yield and yield contributing traits. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences for all traits studied among the progenies. Moderate estimates of the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) were observed for seed cotton yield per plant, lint yield per plant, lint index and number of bolls per plant. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean was recorded for seed cotton yield per plant, lint yield per plant, lint index and number of bolls per plant. The correlation studies reveal highly significant positive association of seed cotton yield per plant with all the important yield contributing traits. The path-coefficient analysis suggested the importance of lint yield per plant and seed index as they exhibited high positive direct effects on seed cotton yield per plant. Hence, selections based on the above characters will result in genotypes with high seed cotton yield.