Morphological and molecular analysis of genetic diversity in multiple cross derivatives of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)

Cotton farmers in India were compelled to adopt high density planting system (HDPS) in the recent past owing to its cultivation in un favourable ecologies.  In order to develop varieties suitable for HDPS, hundreds of multiple cross derivates were evaluated and 52 stable genotypes with compact plant characteristics were used in the present study, conducted at Agricultural College, Aswaraopet during Kharif’ 2013 to compare the pattern of clustering through metroglyph analysis, D 2 statistics and SSR markers.  The material was sown in RBD replicated thrice and the data was recorded as mean values of five competitive plants per replication on nine morphological characters. All the 52 genotypes were grouped into 12, 8 and 7 clusters through metroglyph, D 2 statistics and SSR markers respectively. Results of the present study clearly indicated that, there are striking differences among different groups formed through three analyses with respect to number of groups and group constellation. Keeping in view the objectives of the study, the multiple cross derivatives that possessed compact characters viz ., MC 4-3, MC 5-1, MC 9-1, MC 16-3, MC 17-6, MC 23-2, NH 630, MC 3-2, MC 17-1, MC 19-2, MC 22-2, MC 11-1, MC 17-2 were selected for further crossing to identify hybrids possessing short compact plant characteristics.