Genetic diversity in 13 parental upland cotton genotypes for 13 yield and yield attributing traits was studied using Mahalanobis D2 statistic. The parental hirsutum genotypes grouped in 5 clusters based on the traits investigated. The pattern of grouping of parental genotypes revealed the presence of considerable diversity in the genetic material. The inter cluster distance was greater than intra cluster distance, revealing considerable amount of genetic diversity among parental genotypes investigated. The forces other than geographical origin may have been responsible for genetic divergence among the parental genotypes. The cross CPD-462 × SCS-1061 yielded the highest seed cotton yield, which is of medium genetic divergence. In this study, it was interesting to note that rather than highly divergent genotypes, medium divergence resulted in superior yield, indicating that highly diverse parents were not imperative to heterosis. | Genetic studies on parental diversity in relation to yield of promising hybrids in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.)
