GENETIC-DIVERGENCE IN BRAZILIAN COTTON, GOSSYPIUM-HIRSUTUM VAR LATIFOLIUM HUTCH

Analysis of genetic divergence has been used by breeders to group geno types and to select parents for hybridization. In this work, the D-2 s tatistic of Mahalanobis and canonic variables coupled with the groupin g methods of Tocher and nearest neighbor were used to study divergence in seven cotton cultivars Gossipium hirsutum L, var. latifolium Hutch . The seven cultivars were, in general, divided into four groups. Ther e was an apparent association between genetic divergence and geographi c origin. Selection for disease resistance, especially against ''ramul ose'' was an important factor in the divergence among the materials. T he most divergent traits were plant height, fiber percentage and earli ness.