Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis for yield, yield attributing andfibre quality traits in compact cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

Genetic variability plays a key role in crop improvement programmes as success of selection process dependsupon the initial genetic variability and heritability for the important traits and also on their heritability. Towards this, a studywas conducted at Agricultural Research Station, Dharwad Farm in kharif 2019-20 with a set of 25 compact cotton genotypes.Traits viz.,plant height, number of monopodia, number of sympodia, days to first flowering, days to 50 per cent flowering,node number of first fruiting branch, height of node of first fruiting branch, sympodial length at 50 per cent plant height,sympodial angle at 50 per cent plant height, plant diameter, inter nodal distance, inter boll distance, number of bolls per plant,boll weight, boll harvest index, Bartlett's index, total biomass, root to shoot ratio, harvest index, ginning outturn, lint index,seed index, seed cotton yield per plant andfibre quality traits like fibre length, fibre strength and micronaire were studied. HighPCV, GCV, genetic advance and GAM were noticed for number of monopodia, bolls per plant, total biomass, root to shootratio and seed cotton yield per plant indicating prevalence of additive gene action thus suggesting there would be response ofthese traits to direct selection. Seed cotton yield per plant had showed significant positive association with number ofmonopodia, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, total biomass and Bartlett's index and significant negative correlation wasobserved with days to first flowering, height of node of first fruiting branch, harvest index and fibre strength.The highestpositive direct effect on yield was revealed by number of bolls per plant and boll weight indicating they can be used in indirectselection for yield. Results revealed that the material used in the experiment can be used for genetic improvement of thedesirable traits.