Selection of Genotypes and Contributing Characters to Improve Seed Cotton Yield of Upland Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The experiment was conducted at Cotton Research Centre, Chowgacha, Jessore during 2015-2016 with twenty genetically diverged genotypes, with a view to select desirable genotypes and important characters enhancing seed cotton yield in upland cotton. The experiment was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The unit plot size was 4.5 m x 4.5 m and the spacing, 45 cm ×90 cm. Data were recorded from randomly selected ten plants on monopodial branches plant-1, primary sympodial branches plant-1,secondary sympodial branches plant-1, main stem nodes plant-1, days to 1st (5%) flowering, days to 1st boll splitting, bolls plant-1, single boll weight (g), unburst bolls plant-1, plant height (cm), seeds boll-1, seed cotton yield (kg ha-1). The genotype JA-08/D produced the highest seed cotton yield (3430 kg ha-1) followed by two genotypes JA-08/C (3329 kg ha-1) and JA-08/E (3226 kg ha-1). Though high heritability (90.36-97.46%) were estimated for four characters but high heritability along with high genetic advance values were observed for bolls plant-1, boll weight and seeds boll-1. The moderate heritability (83.58%) with high genetic advance (48.54%) suggests seed cotton yield is controlled by additive and non-additive genetic factors. In general, genotypic correlation coefficient was higher than corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficient due to inherent potential of the genotypes for expressing the individual characters. However, six characters, secondary sympodial branches plant-1, main stem nodes plant-1, days to 1st flowering, bolls plnat-1, boll weight and seeds boll-1 showed positive and significant association. Upon partitioning the correlation coefficients of seed cotton yield with other characters confirmed significant contribution of three characters like bolls plant-1, boll weight and seeds boll- 1. Therefore, three genotypes, JA-08/D, JA-08/C and JA-08/E and three characters, bolls plant-1, boll weight and seeds boll- 1 may be considered by the breeders for improving seed cotton yield in upland cotton.