Studies on correlation of some morphological characters with earliness in cotton

Studies on the correlation of some morphological characters were conducted with respect to Earliness of 4 Bulgarian varieties of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) and their 12 crosses through hybridization. The genetical variation was indicated by creation of these dimensions to the plants in F4 and F5 generations. The results reveal that THREE characters have direct effect on the earliness of cotton. These are: 'First Fruiting Node', Days taken to first Flower' and Days taken to First Boll Opening'. The phenotypic correlation studies in the four characters; 'Production of Fiber', 'Fiber Fruiting Node', 'Days taken to First Flower and Days taken to opening of First Boll, have pointed out that's all were negative (significant in some varieties and hybrids). On the other hand, characters 'Total number of nodes on the Main stem', 'The length of sympodium', and The Height of the plant' have shown that all were positively correlated (significant in some varieties and hybrids). (author)