Genetic Variability and Heritability Analysis for Yield and Fibre Quality Traits in Cotton Genotypes

Abstract

An experiment to find out the genetic variability and heritability estimates for yield fibre quality attributes in different cotton genotypes was carried out at the research area of Department of Plant Breeding and Genetic, Faculty of Agriculture, Gomal University Dera Ismail Khan, during the cotton crop season 2023-2024. The experiment was carried out in randomized complete block design with three replications. Plot size was 3 × 3 m² with space of 0.30m within hills, and the seeds were sown at rate of 5 seeds/hill. The matured open bolls were picked comprised of two pickings, in the months of October and November. Data was recorded for various yield and connected characteristics as well as fibre quality attributes viz., plant height, number of bolls plant^-1, boll weight, plant population, seed cotton yield, ginning out turn, staple length, staple strength, micronaire value and uniformity index. The results depicted that various yield components like plant height, number of bolls plant^-1, boll weight as well as seed cotton yield were non-significantly different in different cotton cultivars however the plant population significantly differed in these cotton cultivars. Similarly ginning out turn was also non-significant, however these cultivars exhibited higher significant differences for all the fibre quality attributes like staple length, staple strength, micronaire value and uniformity index. It was observed that CIM-622 and CEMB-66 depicted the maximum staple length, strength, micronaire and uniformity index and were found to be the top promising cultivars regarding the fibre quality attributes. These cultivars although produced non-significantly different seed cotton yield, yet produced considerable amount of seed cotton yield as compared to the other cultivars. Similarly, the cultivar CIM-616, VH-Gulzar, CRIS-600 and FH-142 ranked second, also performed much better and depicted considerable fibre quality attributes like staple length, strength, micronaire and uniformity index. Based on these results, CIM-622, CEMB-66, CIM-616, VH-Gulzar, CRIS-600 and FH-142 were found to have considerable seed cotton yield and excellent fibre quality attributes and are recommended for general cultivation under the agro-ecological conditions of the Dera Ismail khan region.

Key words: Gossypium hirsutum L, Fibre Quality, Micronaire, Yield