GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN UPLAND COTTON (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Abstract

Genetic diversity in a population of forty genotypes of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) assessed using Mahalanobis D statistic, indicated considerable diversity in the material studied. Five characters were studied and utilized for multivariate analysis. The genotypes were grouped into six clusters. Boll weight, number of bolls per plant and 2.5% span length contributed maximum towards genetic divergence. The genotype 153 E and the genotypes in cluster III could be utilized in the breeding programme for the improvement of boll weight, ginning outturn and yield in cotton.