Genetic diversity studies in some advanced lines of Gossypium hirsutum L. for yield and quality related attributes using cluster and principle component analysis

To study the genetic variability in 20 different genotypes of cotton, a preliminary yield trial was designed at Cotton Research Station, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The results of cluster analysis revealed that cluster 3 comprised of genotypes that have average yield of 3,802 kg/ha and good fiber quality traits while cluster 2 genotypes showed good potential along with staple length of 30 mm. The study of principal components revealed that out of 9 PCs 3 components exhibited eigen value greater than 1. These three PCs contributed 69.2% of the total variability amongst the genotypes assessed for yield, agronomic and fiber traits. The remaining components contributed only 30.8% towards the total variability. The traits like yield, sympodia per plant and bolls per plant showed considerable positive factor loadings on PC I while on PC II, maximum positive loading was shown by plant height, Ginning Out Turn (GOT) and fiber strength and maximum negative loadings were exhibited by fiber length. The diversification of genotypes as shown by the results of cluster and principle component analyses would be helpful to obtain superior parents that can be utilized in future breeding strategy and superior genotypes may also be tested in provincial and national yield trials due to a combination of superior yield and quality traits.