Correlation and Path Coefficient Analysis for Some Quantitative Traits of Cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) Genotypes under Irrigated Conditions

Abstract

Comprehensive understanding about the crop nature, performance level and association of numerous agronomic attributes with yield is necessary for plant researchers to tackle the cotton yield limiting constraints. However, there is a lack of sufficient information on cotton yield, yield related and fiber quality traits correlation and path coefficient analysis in Ethiopia. Knowledge of correlation between different traits and the further partitioning of correlation coefficients into direct and indirect effects is a prerequisite for any underutilized crop improvements of sustainable genetic enhancement. The experiment was conducted on twelve genotypes with three checks in order to assess the association, direct and indirect effects of different characters on lint yield. The experiment was planted at Werer Agricultural Research Center and Nasa/Birale Farm under irrigated condition in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications during the 2016 to 2018 cropping seasons. Data were collected on yield, yield related and fiber quality traits. Correlation studies revealed that lint yield was significantly and positively correlated with the number of bolls per plant, seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and micronaire, whereas it was significantly and negatively correlated with fiber length at both phenotypic and genotypic levels. Path coefficient analysis, both at phenotypic and genotypic levels, revealed that seed cotton had the greatest direct effect on lint yield followed by ginning outturn and number of bolls per plant. Both correlation and path analysis indicated that seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and the number of bolls per plant were the major direct contributors to lint yield. Hence, the present study suggests that more seed cotton yield, ginning outturn and number of bolls per plant are major yield factors in selecting high lint yielding cotton genotypes.