Association and Path analysis for seed cotton yield improvement in interspecific crosses of Cotton (Gossypium spp)

Correlation studies made with parents, F1’s of 15 (lines) × 4 (testers) and one check hybrid (TCHB 213) in interspecific crosses of cotton (Gossypium spp) revealed that plant height, number of sympodial branches per plant, number of bolls per plant along with 2.5 per cent span length, bundle strength and elongation percentage showed significant positive association with seed cotton yield per plant at genotypic level indicating that these characters can be improve simultaneously. The direct and indirect effect of path analysis revealed that the number of bolls per plant, boll weight, number of sympodial branches per plant, plant height, 2.5 per cent span length, bundle strength, elongation percentage, lint index and seed index are the major yield contributing traits in interspecific crosses and should be considered for improving yield under wide hybridization in cotton. The correlation and path co-efficient analysis revealed that simultaneous selection based on plant height, number of bolls per plant, number of sympodial branches per plant, 2.5 per cent span length, bundle strength and elongation percentage may be promising in improving the seed cotton yield per plant.