ESTIMATION OF GENETIC VARIABILITY PARAMETERS IN SEGREGATING F2 GENERATION OF COTTON

Abstract

The study of genetic variability and heritability was carried out in segregating F2 generation of cotton in two crosses USD16-3058 x CRIS-671 and USD16-3058 x MNH-1026 at Central Cotton Research Institute Sakrand for yield, ginning outturn and fiber traits. The substantial range of variation was noted for all the traits under study, which indicated sufficient scope for taking improvement of traits in desirable direction. In both the cross combinations, high to moderate phenotypic and genotypic coefficient was obtained for bolls plant-1, boll weight and seed cotton yield plant-1. Whereas, medium phenotypic coefficient of variation and low genotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for micronaire value and low value was noted for ginning outturn, staple length and fiber strength. Therefore selection would be worthwhile on phenotypic basis. High heritability coupled with higher genetic advance was recorded for bolls plant-1, boll weight and seed cotton yield plant-1 in both crosses suggested that such traits are generally controlled with additive genes, which proposed the improvement in these traits is likely through mass and progeny selection. High heritability with moderate genetic advance for GOT and staple length in cross-1 which advocated the traits are inherited with both additive and non-additive genes. Whereas, higher heritability with low genetic advance in cross-2 was noted for GOT and fiber characters due to non-additive gene action.