STUDIES ON GENETIC DIVERGENCE IN GOSSYPIUM ARBOREUM L.

Abstract

On the basis of D² values, sixty genotypes were grouped into eight clusters containing one to fourteen genotypes. These clusters consisted of genotypes with different geographical origins and indicated no correlation between genetic divergence and geographical divergence. The genotypes of Cluster VIII showed maximum genetic divergence with Cluster I and cluster V. The genotypes belonging to cluster VIII and cluster I may be selected for hybridization for generating genetic variability. Cluster VI having six genotypes was found to be best performing for agronomic characters followed by cluster VIII with one genotype and cluster V with eight genotypes. Thus to generate desirable genetic variability the crossing between cluster VI, VIII and V genotypes would be useful. It is suggested that hybridization among the genotypes of above said clusters would produce segregants for more than one economic character which can serve as parents of hybrids. Days to first flower followed by seed cotton yield per plant, number of monopods and plant height contribute maximum toward divergence.