Search

Pigeonpea, a predominant protein source for vast vegetarian population is constrained by numerous biotic and abiotic stresses. Inefficient exploitation of pigeonpea germplasm has limited its utilization. Therefore it is important to identify and select breeding material from germplasm with sufficient genetic variability to utilize in hybridization programmes. In this regard ~200 F2 plants each from four different crosses were evaluated in Kharif-2019 at University of Agricultural Sciences Bengaluru. They were assessed for genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance as per cent of mean and trait association. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was noticed for pods plant-1, clusters plant-1 and seed yield plant-1. High heritability coupled with higher genetic advance as per cent mean was noticed for secondary branches plant-1, clusters plant-1 and pods plant-1. Seed yield plant-1 showed highest significant positive correlation with pods plant-1 and clusters plant-1, indicating these traits were the primary yield determinants in pigeonpea. Path coefficient analysis revealed that secondary branches plant-1 showed highest positive direct effect on seed yield plant-1 followed by pods plant-1 and clusters plant-1, thus selection based on these traits would be rewarding. Among the four crosses evaluated, highest numbers of transgressive segregants were identified from the cross BRG-1 × BDN-2 followed by HY3C × BDN-2 for yield and its related traits. The identified transgressive segregants could be evaluated for further exploitation.

Pigeonpea, a predominant protein source for vast vegetarian population is constrained by numerous biotic and abiotic stresses. Inefficient exploitation of pigeonpea germplasm has limited its utilization. Therefore it is important to identify and select breeding material from germplasm with sufficient genetic variability to utilize in hybridization programmes. In this regard ~200 F2 plants each from four different crosses were evaluated in Kharif-2019 at University of Agricultural Sciences Bengaluru. They were assessed for genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance as per cent of mean and trait association. High phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variation was noticed for pods plant-1, clusters plant-1 and seed yield plant-1. High heritability coupled with higher genetic advance as per cent mean was noticed for secondary branches plant-1, clusters plant-1 and pods plant-1. Seed yield plant-1 showed highest significant positive correlation with pods plant-1 and clusters plant-1, indicating these traits were the primary yield determinants in pigeonpea. Path coefficient analysis revealed that secondary branches plant-1 showed highest positive direct effect on seed yield plant-1 followed by pods plant-1 and clusters plant-1, thus selection based on these traits would be rewarding. Among the four crosses evaluated, highest numbers of transgressive segregants were identified from the cross BRG-1 × BDN-2 followed by HY3C × BDN-2 for yield and its related traits. The identified transgressive segregants could be evaluated for further exploitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation comprising 36 diverse cauliflower genotypes along with three checks were raised during winter season of 2021-22 to study genetic variability, association between different characters, and direct and indirect effects of component traits to formulate selection criteria for utilization in crop improvement programme. The analysis of variance indicated exitance of sufficient genetic variability for all morphological and yield traits taken for the study. High PCV and GCV were reported for marketable curd weight, net curd weight and stalk length. Similarly, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for gross plant weight, marketable curd weight and curd solidity which indicates that these traits can be easily improved through simple selection. Correlation and path coefficient analysis revealed that gross plant weight, net curd weight, curd size index, curd solidity, plant frame and stalk length could be considered as the best selection parameters for evolving high yielding cauliflower genotypes.

An experiment was carried out to determine the genetic variability parameters and character associations in thirty-two chilli genotypes. Based on mean performance, 11 genotypes were observed to be superior for marketable green fruit yield than the standard check varieties ‘Him Palam Mirch-2’ and DPCH-40-2. High to moderate estimates of PCV and GCV with high heritability coupled with high genetic advance were observed for marketable green fruits/plant, marketable green fruit yield/plant, total green fruits/plant and average green fruit weight. Marketable green fruit yield/plant had positive and significant association with average green fruit weight, marketable green fruits/plant, total green fruits/plant, percent marketable green fruits/plant, ascorbic acid and capsaicin content. In view of direct and indirect contribution of component traits, selection on the basis of total fruits/plant and average green fruit weight would be a paying preposition for evolving high yielding genotypes for marketable green fruit yield. The present findings could be useful in selecting superior genotypes to achieve genetic gain and yield advantage in chilli breeding programmes

Browntop millet (Brachiaria ramose (L.) Stapf.), is an important small millet crop. It can thrive in variety of climates, uses limited amount of water for growth and development and has high minerals and fibre. As the genetic diversity in any crop species is crucial for crop improvement, present study was aimed at evaluating the diversity present in the germplasm accessions by measuring 13 morphological traits across 27 accessions of browntop millet. The data revealed significant variations between the accessions for each of the traits that were examined. GCV and PCV were observed to be more for the trait panicle width and it was found less in case of days to maturity. The difference in GCV and PCV was very narrow for panicle width indicating least influence of surrounding environment which was further supported by high value of broad sense heritability. While grain yield per plant recorded highest heritability with GAM. Grain yield per plant showed significant positive correlation with plant height, number of panicles per plant, panicle length, peduncle length, flag leaf width and flag leaf length. Principal component analysis revealed 88.73 per cent of total variation was from grain yield per plant, total panicle weight per plant, panicle width and flag leaf length comprising the accessions viz., namely IC617956, IC613546, VBT 002, TNBr 016 and IIMR BTL. The study identified best accessions for different traits based on correlation and multivariate analysis that could be of further use in the browntop millet breeding programmes.

A set of thirty genotypes of little millet were studied using thirteen morphological traits to assess genetic variability, character association and their effects on grain yield during Kharif 2022 at Centurion University, Paralakhemundi, Odisha in a randomized block design with three replications. Analysis of variation revealed significant (p≤0.01) variation in the studied genotypes for all the traits recorded. The characters viz., number of productive tillers, test weight and grain yield had high genotypic (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) whereas characters viz., number of productive tillers, number of braches per panicle, culm length, culm diameter, test weight and grain yield had high genetic advance coupled with high heritability. Most of the traits except days to 50% flowering, days to maturity and flag leaf length showed strong significant (p≤0.01) positive associations with grain yield at genotypic and phenotypic levels. The traits such as plant height, number of productive tillers, culm length, test weight, flag leaf length and breadth recorded positive direct effect on grain yield that indicates direct improvement of these traits could be beneficial for the improvement of little millet cultivars with higher grain yield.

To understand the utility of genotypes in the breeding program in mid-hill environments of the north-western Himalayas of India, apple cultivars were studied during 2019 and 2020 to discover inter-relationships of variables as well as to study genetic variation across yield attribution traits. For fruit set, fruit drop and fruit volume, high heritability and moderate genetic gain was observed. Substantial correlation between fruit yield per plant and pruning weight, tree volume, tree spread and TSS was observed. However, the increments in tree height and trunk girth were strongly and adversely linked with fruit yield per plant. Thus the traits tree spread, tree volume and flowering length may be used as selection indicators for increased production with high-quality apple cultivars.

The aim of the present study was to assess the degree of genetic variation, heritability, and character relationship among yield, yield attributing and grain quality parameters in BC3 F2 of CO 52 x APD19002 population. In the current study, number of total tillers per plant, number of productive tillers per plant, flag leaf length, number of filled grains per panicle and single plant yield showed high PCV and GCV. It became evident that there exists a highly significant and positive association between single plant yield and number of productive tillers per plant followed by number of tillers, flag leaf length, plant height, spikelet fertility and test weight. The path coefficient analysis showed that number of productive tillers per plant had high positive direct effect on single plant yield followed by flag leaf length, kernel length, KBAC and LER. The results indicate the number of productive tillers per plant and flag leaf length were identified as the key contributing traits as they are highly heritable and simultaneous consideration of these traits is important for crop improvement. It implies that flag leaf provides more photosynthates to grains along with number of productive tillers per plant which in turn increases the grain yield.

Fourty-eight ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal] genotypes were studied for the genetic variability, heritability and trait association during 2018-19 based on 13 yield and quality traits. For all the 13 characters studied, highly significant (P < 0.01) differences were observed. Parameters such as withanolides, dry root yield per plant and crude fibre recorded higher estimates for GCV and PCV. High broad sense heritability and genetic advance were recorded for number of primary and secondary branches, number of berries, root length, number of secondary roots, fresh and dry root yield, starch, crude fibre and withanolides. These proved to be promising traits that would respond to selection of better genotypes owing to their high transmissibility and genetic variability. Character association study indicated that dry root yield had positive and significant association with the number of primary and secondary roots, fresh root yield and withanolides at both genotypic and phenotypic levels. Path analysis revealed that number of secondary roots and withanolides were major traits having high positive, direct effect and significant association with dry root yield. Hence, these traits would be quite effective when selected to improve dry root yield in ashwagandha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess the degree of genetic variation, heritability, and character relationship among yield, yield attributing and grain quality parameters in BC3 F2 of CO 52 x APD19002 population. In the current study, number of total tillers per plant, number of productive tillers per plant, flag leaf length, number of filled grains per panicle and single plant yield showed high PCV and GCV. It became evident that there exists a highly significant and positive association between single plant yield and number of productive tillers per plant followed by number of tillers, flag leaf length, plant height, spikelet fertility and test weight. The path coefficient analysis showed that number of productive tillers per plant had high positive direct effect on single plant yield followed by flag leaf length, kernel length, KBAC and LER. The results indicate the number of productive tillers per plant and flag leaf length were identified as the key contributing traits as they are highly heritable and simultaneous consideration of these traits is important for crop improvement. It implies that flag leaf provides more photosynthates to grains along with number of productive tillers per plant which in turn increases the grain yield. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most comprehensive study was undertaken to investigate genetic variability, character association studies and diversity analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in sixty-five maize genotypes along with five checks raised in Augmented block design II and observations were recorded on fourteen morphological traits. For all the traits, the analysis of variance revealed significant variance. PCV and GCV was high for anthesis silking interval. High genetic advance as per cent of mean along with heritability was recorded for anthesis silking interval, number of tassel branches, cob length, plant height and tassel height. This showed the effectiveness of selection for these traits. Character association analysis confirmed that grain yield per plant had a positive significant association with number of kernel rows per cob, number of kernels per row, cob breadth, cob length, 100 seed weight, shelling percentage and plant height. This implies that by selecting for these traits, grain yield per plant can be improved significantly. Path analysis for the attributed traits showed the direct effect of shelling percentage and plant height on single plant yield. Consequently, an emphasis on these traits could lead to the successful identification of higher yielding genotypes. Based on agglomerative hierarchical clustering, genotypes UMI1113, UMI1153, UMI 653-2-3, UMI1131-5 and UMI1076-5-4-2 can be used as parental lines in the hybridization programme. PCA biplot showed that number of kernel rows per cob, number of kernels per row, cob placement height, plant height and single plant yield mostly contributed towards variability. Furthermore, these parental lines should be assessed for their general combining ability and specific combining ability to generate stable and superior hybrids for better yield performance.

Eight parents and the 28 crosses of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern & Coss.) in two segregating generations, viz., F2 and F3 were studied for their genetic variability during the rabi seasons of 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively. Observations were recorded for six morphological characters such as plant height (cm), primary branches per plant, secondary branches per plant, siliquae per plant, 1000 seed weight (g) and seed yield per plant (g). The PCV was found to be greater than the GCV and the difference between them was high in all the characters in both F2 and F3 generations. Most of the characters revealed a medium range of GCV and PCV. Moderate heritability was expressed by all the characters except primary branches per plant in F3 generation. The Genetic Advance as a percentage of Mean (GAM) was higher in most characters except in plant height. The character plant height was found to be positively correlated with seed yield per plant in both F2 and F3 generations, with secondary branches per plant in the F3 generation and negatively correlated with primary branches per plant in F3 generation. A high direct effect on seed yield per plant was exhibited by plant height and 1000 seed weight in both F2 and F3 generations and by Secondary branches per plant in the F2 generation and Siliquae per plant in the F3 generation.

A study was carried out to assess the genetic variability and association among yield attributing traits in 60 different safflower genotypes over six environments. The pooled analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that all attributes had a considerable degree of variation.The pooled analysis of variability parameters revealed that the phenotypic coefficients of variation (PCV) was higher than the genotypic coefficients of variation (GCV)for all of the characteristics evaluated, indicating that experimental variance contributed to total variation.Petal yield/plant and seed yield/plant had the highest PCV and GCV followed by number of capitula/plant, number of seeds/capitula, height of insertion of first branch, hundred seed weight, number of primary branches/plant, length of longest primary branches, number of secondary branches and height up to main capitula.Number of capitula/plant, seed yield/plant, petal yield/plant, height of insertion of first branch, number of seeds per capitula, hundred seed weight, number of primary branches/plant, length of the longest primary branches, number of secondary branches, height upto main capitula, capitulum diameter and plant height all had high heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean. Seedyield/plant showed positive, significant and directcorrelation with number of capitula/plant, number of seeds/capitulum, height up to the main capitulum, plant height, number of primary branches/plant, capitulum diameter, and hundred seed weight.Number of capitula/planthad the maximum direct effect on grain yield/plant followed by number of seeds/capitulum, hundred seed weight and petal yield/plant. Hence selection of these traits would improve seed and petal yield in safflower breeding program.

An experiment was conducted with a view to obtain information of genetic parameters of variation and character association for 13 quantitative traits in a set of 64 rice cultivars of Assam. The study revealed significant differences for all the traits under study. Highest genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for the trait biological yield followed by harvest index and grain yield. More than 80% heritability was observed for all the traits except grain yield, effective tillers per plant and biological yield. Genetic advance as per cent of mean was highest for biological yield followed by harvest index, filled grains per panicle and grain yield. Higher magnitude of genetic advance along with considerably high heritability observed for harvest index, filled grains per panicle and biological yield indicated that these traits could be considered for selection to obtain high genetic gain. Character association studies indicated that direct selection of 100 - grain weight, grain length, grain breadth, biological yield and harvest index, would bring about improvement in grain yield. Non-significant association of grain yield with important yield attributes viz., filled grain per panicle, tillers per plant and panicle length were due to their strong association with duration of genotypes, which in turn was negatively associated with grain yield. Recombination breeding and recurrent selection, therefore, could be suggested to break the negative linkage in order to achieve further genetic improvement.

A study was conducted on 16 growth, yield and quality characteristics in the F3 population derived from the Mundu Chilli cross PKM CA 32 x PKM CA 20, encompassing genetic variability, heritability and genetic advancement. The progenies in the population were assessed using 16 parameters, encompassing on aspects such as growth, yield, and quality. The success of varietal improvement relies on the genetic variability in existing material. Assessing the nature and extent of variability in the germplasm stock is a crucial step for effective breeding methods. The study found significant levels of genetic diversity in every trait examined in each progenies in the cross. High GCV and PCV were observed for yield of fruits per plant (both dry and ripe), oleoresin and capsaicin, suggesting greater variability and high heritability estimates with considerable genetic advancement as percentage of mean indicating these traits could increase the fruit yield and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coconut is one of the major plantation crops of India and the demand for elite seedlings is exorbitant. In this study, superior mother palms of Chowghat Orange Dwarf (COD) which is not completely homozygous were identified based on Phenotypic Co-efficient of Variation (PCV), Genotypic Co-efficient of Variation (GCV), heritability and genetic advance of morphological traits for applications in crop improvement. Explants from superior palms viz., mature embryos (whole/sliced) and shoot tips (whole/sliced), were used for direct organogenesis. Among these, sliced shoot tips (4 slices) in Y3 basal + 200 µM Thidiazuran (TDZ), recorded highest shoot induction (350 %) and regeneration frequency (325%) at 30 Days After Inoculation (DAI) and 60 DAI respectively than sliced embryos (4 slices) which recorded lesser shoot induction (170 %) and regeneration frequency (125%). This is the first study that demonstrates shoot tips as one of the potential explants for in-vitro production of quality coconut seedlings.

The present study was carried out to evaluate 40 lucerne germpalsm including four checks for genetic variability and character associations for green fodder yield and attributing traits. The germplasm were evaluated for 16 quantitative and qualitative traits and subjected to pooled analysis for the successive three cuts (environment). The results clearly revealed significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits studied except leaf length. However, genotype x environment interaction indicated significant differences for all traits studied except for leaf length, leaf breadth, crude protein and neutral detergent fiber. Greater variation was recorded with the obtained values of PCV and GCV for all traits studied. High heritability and high genetic advance as a percent of the mean was noticed for leaf breadth, stem girth, dry matter yield, green fodder yield, crude protein and crude fiber. However, leaf length and leaf stem ratio exhibited high heritability with low GAM. The correlation coefficient for green fodder yield was significant and positively associated with plant height, stem girth, number of crowns per plant and dry matter yield. Positive direct effect was reported for plant height, stem girth, neutral detergent fiber, number of crowns per plant, leaf stem ratio and total ash on green fodder yield. Hence, these traits could be used to formulate a selection index for to improving the green fodder yield in lucerne.

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) is a significant crop known for its resilience, versatility, and nutritional value. The research aimed to enhance yield and nutritional quality through the assessment of genetic variability, heritability, correlations, and causal relationships among traits. Variance component analysis in the F2 population of red sorghum genotypes from the cross between Paiyur 2 and IS 21731 revealed the influence of the environment on trait expression. High variability in flag leaf traits and single plant yield was observed. Traits such as plant height, stem girth, and flag leaf length exhibited high heritability and genetic advancement which indicated that these traits are influenced by additive genetic factors and are suitable for selection processes. Positive correlations were identified between single plant yield and traits like panicle weight and primary branches and hence selection based on these characteristics could directly contribute to improved yield in sorghum. Path analysis highlighted the direct and indirect effects of traits on grain yield with panicle weight emerging as a major driver. This study provided valuable insights into effective breeding strategies emphasizing traits such as panicle weight, primary branches, and seed index for enhancing both yield and nutritional quality in red sorghum genotypes.

The present investigation was conducted at Giza Research Station, Egypt, to evaluate the mean performance of 30 sweet sorghum genotypes for stalk and juice yields during the 2021 and 2022 summer seasons. The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with three replicates. The magnitude of genetic variability was estimated using broad sense heritability and genetic advance expressed as a percent of the grand mean. Also, cluster analysis was automated to identify the similarity and dissimilarities among the tested genotypes. The genotype by trait (GxT) biplot was graphically diagrammed to compare genotypes on the basis of multiple traits. Results revealed significant differences among sweet sorghum genotypes for all studied traits across the two seasons. There were three promise genotypes Willy, William, and Atlas that surpassed the other genotypes regarding juice extraction percentage and juice yield indicating their magnitude as breeding materials that may be successfully used in breeding programs of sweet sorghum. The highest genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded by leaf area index, stalk diameter, stalk length, juice extraction percentage, and juice yield. In the same context, high values of heritability accompanied by genetic advance percentage were observed in terms of leaf area index, stalk diameter, stalk length, and juice yield indicating that these traits were well heritable and can be improved through breeding programs. The results of cluster analysis exhibited the presence of considerable genetic diversity among the tested genotypes. Cluster analysis classified the sweet sorghum genotypes into five clusters where the 1st cluster consisted of four genotypes Willy, William, Rio, and Dall that were lately flowered but recorded the highest values of all studied traits except stalk length, sucrose percentage, and purity percentage giving considerable stalk and juice yields. According to the GxT biplot graph, it is clear that genotypes; William, Rio, Tracy, and Atlas recorded the best values in the case of juice extraction percentage, juice yield, stripped stalk yield, stalk diameter, days to 50% flowering, and leaf area index. Information obtained from this research may be helpful to select the best sorghum genotypes to share in breeding programs to improve the characteristics of stalk and juice yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variability, correlation and path coefficients for fifteen agro-morphological traits were studied on 100 oat lines including two checks. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation were high for leaf number per tiller and weight of panicle. Traits such as tiller number per plant, leaf number per tiller, weight of panicle, stem width, leaf width, individual plant yield, length of internode and thousand seed weight showed high heritability accompanied by high genetic advance indicating that these characters can be enhanced by simple selection. Association studies revealed a positively significant association of individual plant yield with thousand seed weight, floret number per panicle, spikelet number per panicle, weight of panicle, height of plant, length of internode at the phenotypic level. Path analysis disclosed that weight of panicle, width of flag leaf, floret number per panicle, tiller number per plant and length of flag leaf exhibited a positive direct effect on seed yield. Among these characters, weight of panicle, thousand seed weight, height of plant and floret number per panicle possessed positive association and direct effect. So, these traits can be used for creation of plant ideotypes and selecting these traits will be worthwhile for higher yield.

Thirty advanced lines of wheat obtained from Borlaug Institute for South Asia (BISA), Ludhiana, Punjab were evaluated in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications for yield and its contributing characters at Agriculture Research Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India during rabi 2021-2022. Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance per cent of the meanand analysis of variance were carried out for 14 traits. The mean sum of square (MSS) due to genotypes was highly significant for all the fourteen traits. Grain yield per plant exhibited the highest phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) followed by harvest index, the number of spikes per plant, the number of tillers per plant and biological yield per plant. Genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) was found to be highest for grain yield per plant followed by harvest index, the number of spikes per plant, the number of tillers per plant and biological yield per plant. Very high heritability estimates were associated with high estimates of genetic advance for the number of tillers per plant, the number of spikes per plant, biological yield per plant, harvest index, grain yield per plant, chlorophyll content, and flag leaf area which revealed the presence of additive gene effects, showing the efficiency of selection method of breeding for improving these attributes in wheat.

A study was carried out by using 45 genotypes of sesame at Seed Research and Technology Centre, Hyderabad during 2018 to evaluate the genetic variability, morphological clustering using Metroglyph and to identify the principle components having a major contribution to the total variation. Analysis of variance indicated appreciable variation among the genotypes for the traits. The genotypes Julang Sesame and NI8-8316 recorded the highest average performance for seed yield per plant and other yield components. The trait, seed yield per plant recorded the highest value for GCV and PCV followed by test weight. High heritability together with high values of genetic advance was showed by 1000 seed weight and seeds per individual pod. Principal component analysis (PCA) indicated three principle components with eigenvalue more than one and contributing 78 % towards the total variability of the population. Metroglyph analysis clustered the genotypes into six groups and group IV being the largest with 20 genotypes. Cluster VI characterized with high seed yield and number of seeds per pod comprised of three genotypes including Julang Sesame and NI8- 8316. The overall study indicated that genotypes Julang Sesame and NI8-8316 were superior in performance and could be utilized as parents in hybridization programs.

Sugarcane clones were assessed for cane yield and quality traits in Advanced Varietal Trials in I plant, II plant and ratoon crops during 2019-21. Fifteen genotypes along with three standards were evaluated using Randomized Block design with three replications at K. J. Somaiya Institute of Applied Agricultural Research (KIAAR), Sameerwadi, Karnataka. Data were collected on eleven important yield contributing and quality traits. Individual and pooled analysis of variance in two plants and a ratoon crop indicated highly significant differences among the treatments for most of the traits under study. Genotype Co 14016 recorded significantly higher cane yield and numerically higher commercial cane sugar (CCS) yield in AVT II Plant, AVT Ratoon and pooled analysis. Co 14002 variety recorded significantly higher cane and CCS yield over all three standards, (Co 86032, CoC 671 and Co 05103) in II plants. Two varieties, CoN 14002 and CoVC 14062 recorded significantly higher cane and CCS yield over all three standards, (Co 86032, CoC 671 and Co 05103) in only ratoon crop indicating the good ratoonability of these varieties. Character association studies of cane yield with its contributing traits indicated positive significant correlations of the number of shoots (0.346), millable canes (0.591) and CCS yield (0.883) with cane yield. Among the yield parameters, a positive significant association of cane height with the number of tillers, the number of shoots, Brix0 and Pol% has been observed, indicating the contribution of cane height to yield and quality. The present study demonstrated the superiority of three genotypes viz., Co 14016, Co 14002 and CoVC 14062 for cane yield and quality and scope for indirect selection based on the number of shoots, millable canes and CCS yield in sugarcane breeding.

Two hundred germplasm lines of upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) were evaluated for genetic variability and divergence for seed cotton yield attributing traits and fibre quality traits at Regional Agricultural Research Station, ANGRAU, Lam, Guntur. The analysis of variance indicated significant genetic variability among the germplasm lines. The close symmetry between the phenotypic and genotypic coefficient of variances and lower values of environmental coefficient variance for all the studied attributes indicated that the traits were genetically controlled and under less influence of the environment. Higher broad sense heritability and genetic advance for all seed cotton yield attributing traits indicated that these attributes were governed by additive genes and early phenotypic selection for their improvement might be effective. Five principal components (PCs) were depicted as having Eigen value >1 and cumulative variability of 66.17%, out of which PC1 accounted for 26.81% and PC2 for 14.08% of variability. The attributes of significance depicted in PC1 were seed index, lint index, upper half mean length, uniformity index, and staple length. Bi-plot revealed that Lam GPC232, Lam GPC223, Lam GPC225, Lam GPC135, Lam GPC62, Lam GPC85, Lam GPC168, and Lam GPC203 were the most divergent germplasm. These genetically diverse genotypes with the absolute and significant association of attributes could be utilized in a future cotton breeding program.