The heritability of yield components and genetic correlations in hybrid populations of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

The objectives of this study were to determine the heritability for yield, yield components and fiber technological characters, phenotypic and genotypic correlations between seed cotton yield and other observed characters, and to estimate suitable selection criteria in a population formed by line x tester in the Nazilli Cotton Research Institute in 2002­2005. The additive gene effect for seed cotton yield / unit area, lint yield / unit area, boll number /unit area, seed number / locule, fiber fineness, boll number /unit area, fiber length, fibers/seed, lint percentage, seed number /boll, seed yield / unit area,seed yield / boll, seed cotton yield /boll, lint yield /boll, seed index, fiber strength, single seed weight, seed volume, lint yield/seed; non­additive gene effect for locules / boll and seed specific weight were estimated. The results of stepwise regression analysis, phenotypic and genotypic correlation suggests that breeder could select for higher boll number / unit area, seed number / boll and seed number / locule in population. Key Words: General Combining Ability, Specific Combining Ability, Phenotypic Correlation, Genotypic Correlation, Stepwise