Genetic variability studies in germplasm of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

Three hundred and ninety nine germplasm lines of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were evaluated for fifteen traits to assess the per se performance, magnitude of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean. Per se performance study revealed the top entries for yield, early maturing, high boll weight, high boll number and fibre quality characters among the 399 entries used for the study. The estimates of PCV were higher than the GCV for all the characters under studied, this shows the influence of environmental factors on the characters. Highest estimates of PCV and GCV were observed for number of monopodia and seed cotton yield. While lowest estimates of PCV and GCV were observed for days to 50% flowering, seed index, bundle strength, uniformity and elongation percent. The four characters viz., number of sympodia, boll weight, lint index and micronaire value showed the moderate estimates of PCV and GCV. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for number of monopodia, number of sympodia, boll weight, lint index, micronaire value and seed cotton yield and these characters were controlled by additive gene effects, hence selection of genotypes based on these characters would be effective in the improvement of yield.

Keywords

• gossypium hirsutum l.
• per se performance
• genetic variability
• heritability and genetic advance.