Cluster and Principal Component Analysis for Seed Coat Resistibility and Its Related Traits of Cotton (Gossypium spp.) Genotypes

Abstract— During the ginning of seed cotton, the seeds can be broken and mixed into the fibers. The number of seed coat particles passing into the fibers and the amount of neps caused by the seed coat is an important factor that negatively affects the yarn quality and creates problems in dyeing. In this study, 200 different cotton genotypes were evaluated in terms of 100-seed weight, seed coat ratio, seed coat thickness and seed coat resistibility. As a result of the study, it was determined that 100-seed weights of genotypes varied between 7.23 - 15.43 g, seed coat ratios between 15.53 - 38.27%, seed coat thickness between 0.41 - 1.00 mm and seed coat resistibility between 41.07 - 107.21 newton. TxNo:142 genotype had the highest seed coat resistibility. In addition, it was determined that there was a positive and significant relationship between seed coat resistibility and 100-seed weight. In principal components analysis, two out of 4 principal components were selected with Eigen value >1. The two principal components contributed 59.3% towards variability. In cluster analysis, 200 genotypes were allocated in five clusters. Cluster II was the largest by having 90 genotypes while cluster V, cluster III, cluster I and cluster IV having 54, 28, 20 and 8 genotypes, respectively.