Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis were studied in a set of 36 diverse genotypes of upland cotton. Genotypic as well as phenotypic coefficients of variability (GCV) were high for key productivity traits, excepting sympods per plant where GCV values were low. This coupled with low heritability values indicated high environment influence on the genetic factors governing heredity of sympods per plant. Positive association of seed cotton yield was observed with boll number, boll weight, biomass, sympods per plant and plant height Boll number, sympods per plant and plant height also showed positive correlation among themselves. Monopods per plant appeared to be an undesirable trait as it was negatively correlated with seed cotton yield as well as with boll number. In general phenotypic and genotypic correlations observed between different characters were in agreement with each other. Partitioning of phenotypic correlation coefficients of various component traits with seed cotton yield into direct and indirect contributions revealed that boll number had maximum direct effect upon seed cotton yield followed by boll weight and biomass. Although sympods per plant and plant height did not contribute directly to seed cotton yield but these contributed indirectly via boll number. It was apparent from the study that seed cotton yield can be improved by selection of tall plants having more sympods per plant, high boll number and more boll weight in segregating progenies.
Correlations, Path analysis, Seed cotton yield, Variability
