Multivariate analysis for CLCuD and various morphological traits in some advanced lines of cotton Gossypium hirsutum L

To investigate genetic diversity in some advanced lines developed specifically for cotton leaf curl virus, multivariate analysis was employed. The study of principal components revealed that out of 08 PCs 03 components exhibited eigen value >1. These three PCs contributed 76.5% of the total variability amongst the genotypes assessed for CLCuD%, yield and agronomic traits. The remaining components contributed only 23.5% towards the total variability. The traits like monopodia per plant showed considerable negative factor loadings on PC I while bolls per plant, sympodia per plant, yield and boll weight had maximum positive loadings. Maximum positive loading on PC II was shown by plant height while maximum negative loadings were exhibited by nodes to first fruiting branch. Eighteen genotypes were grouped into 3 clusters based on various traits. Cluster analysis showed that cluster 1 comprised of 7, cluster 2, 2 and cluster 3 comprised of 9 genotypes. The results of the cluster analysis revealed that members of cluster 1 and 3 may be combined to obtain more useful results both in terms of yield and CLCuD