Genetic Studies in Different F2 Segregating Population for Yield and Fiber Quality Traits in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

Present research was conducted for assessment of six F2 populations and their parents for various yield and fiber contributing attributes. F2 segregating population have more variability with a greater adaptation against stress. F2 generation provide more chance of selection for the improvement of genotypes because every plant is different from another plant. Analysis of variance results indicated that genotypes for all traits were significant except number of monopodial branches and total nodes per plant. Highest value of heritability was calculated for seed cotton yield while lowest value was observed for first fruiting branch node. Correlation matrix for overall F2 populations along with their parents manifested that yield was significantly and positively associated with plant height, height to node ratio, first fruiting branch node, total bolls per plant, ginning out turn %, lint index and short fiber index. Path analysis results showed that yield was directly and positively influenced by number of sympodial branches per plant, height to node ratio, total bolls per plant, seed index, fiber uniformity, short fiber index, micronaire value and fiber strength. The variety Mubarak showed maximum mean values for yield contributing and fiber related trait like sympodial branches, boll weight, GOT% and lint index, BS80 for bolls per plant and seed cotton yield, CM595 for seeds per boll, fiber strength and fiber length and FH142 for fiber uniformity. F2 cross combination MNH886×Mubarak followed by CM595×MNH886 showed maximum value of ranges for the different attributes and succeeding generations of these two populations may be used for selection of potential genotypes for development of high yielding varieties.