Genetic variability and heritability in F2 population of Gossypium hirsutum for yield and its components

Abstract

The success in most of the breeding program depends upon the variability and heritability of desirable traits, an experiment on genetic variability, heritability, correlation and path coefficient for seed yield and its attributing components was conducted in the F₂ population of the cross  Lalazar × SLH-33 at cotton research station Sahiwal during Kharif season 2018. The segregating population were evaluated for eleven quantitative traits i.e. Plant height, number of monopodia per plant, number of sympodia per plant, number of bolls per plant, boll weight, number of seeds per boll, seed index, seed cotton yield per plant, Ginning turnout, staple length and micronaire value. A wide range of variability was observed for all these traits. A high value of GCV, Heritability and genetic advance percentage over mean was recorded for number of bolls per plant, number of sympodia per plant, number of seeds per boll and staple length. The traits having high heritability coupled with the moderate to high genetic advance as percentage of mean can be utilized as indirect selection for yield improvement.