Genetic variability, character association and component analysis in upland cotton

To assess the extent of variability, heritability and genetic advance per cent in 36 hybrids revealed that the GCV, heritability in broad sense and genetic advance as per cent of mean values were comparatively high for lint yield, seed cotton yield, number of sympodia per plant and plant height indicating the operation of additive gene action for these four traits. The correlation analysis indictated that lint yield and plant height had positive and significant correlation with seed cotton yield, while days to first flowering and days to 50% boll opening had negative and significant association with seed cotton yield. Path coefficient analysis revealed that among all the characters studied, lint yield should receive greater emphasis in cotton improvement programmes as it contributes maximum direct effect and higher indirect effect through other characters.