Abstract
Fifty one lines/varieties of G. hirsutum showed highly significant genotypic differences for node for 1st fruiting
branch, days taken to 1st boll opening, earliness index and seed cotton yield. The results exhibited that early and
late maturing varieties may be distinguished on the basis of data on these four characters but it is obvious from
the results that no single criterion seems to be adequate for measuring earliness of these varieties. On the basis
of metroglyph analysis of the available material four varieties/lines i.e. FH-901, CIM-448, NIAB-999 and LRA-5166
with highest index score were rated as early maturing and three i.e. CP-15/2, Pilose-3 and MNH-93 with lowest
index score i.e., late maturing, were chosen out of fifty one for hybridization.
