Genetic parameters of yield and fibre quality traits in American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Fifty four genotypes of American cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) comprising of 4 lines, 10 testers and their 40 hybrids produced in a Line x Tester fashion were evaluated for qualitative and quantitative traits. Results revealed that Number of sympodia per plant, boll weight and seed cotton yield per plant showed moderate estimates of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation. Moderate heritability coupled with moderate genetic advance was observed for number of sympodia per plant, number of bolls per plant, seed index and seed cotton yield per plant indicating the operation of both additive and non-additive gene action in the inheritance of these traits. Low heritability coupled with low genetic advance was observed for days to 50% flowering, ginning percentage, 2.5% span length, micronaire, maturity coefficient and bundle strength indicating that these characters are controlled by non-additive genes and simple selection would not be effective.