Genetic Study of some Quantitative Characters in Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. and Gossypium barbadense L.)

(Maha Lutfi Hadid )

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Abstract

The experiment was carried out with eight cotton varieties (C6040, Line 5, Aleppo118, Aleppo 90, Aleppo 40, Aleppo 33, Dirzor22, Raqua 5) were planted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The present study was conducted on correlation and path coefficient analysis of some quantitative characters in cotton (seed cotton yield per plant, boll weight, seed index, days to first flowering, days to first boll opening, and harvest index) This research has been carried out at the experiment station of Agriculture Faculty, Damascus University during the period of 2007-2008. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the varieties for all characters under study. A high estimate of heritability was recorded for most traits .Hence, the improvement of these traits can be made through direct phenotypic selection. Significant positive correlations were found between seed cotton yield per plant and each of boll weight and harvest index. Significant and positive associations were also observed between seed index and harvest index, days to first flowering and days to first boll opening were also positively and significantly correlated. Path coefficient analysis showed that harvest index, boll weight, and seed index had greatest contribution in seed cotton yield per plant variation (90.41%). Hence simultaneous selection based on harvest index, boll weight, and seed index will be promising the seed cotton yield per plant. Thus, the breeders should take into consideration these traits as selection criteria for seed cotton yield per plant improvement Key Words: Cotton, correlation coefficient, direct and indirect effects, quantitative characters.
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