Abstract

A study conducted with 55 genotypes of upland cotton (Gossyplum hirsutum L.) indicated that the genetic variability was high for boll number, boll weight, lint index and seed cotton yield. Selection based on boll weight and boll number is most advantageous because of high heritability associated with greater genetic advance. Correlation studies indicated the existence of positive associations of seed cotton yield with all traits studied except fibre length and suggested that increase in any one of them will lead to increased seed cotton yield and all of them can be improved simultaneously. Among the components there were no negative correlations except for micronaire with fibre length. Path analysis revealed that boll number and boll weight were the principle yield attributes having high direct effects. The traits seeds. per boll, seed Index and lint Index contributed to yield Indirectly through boll weight. The direct effects of other yield and fibre traits on yield were of minor significance.

Keywords: Cotton, Genetic variability, correlation, Path analysis.