Assessment of Genetic Variability and Trait Association in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

Aim: The present study was conducted to assess genetic variability, heritability and trait associations among yield and its contributing characters in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Study Design: The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RBD) with recommended agronomic practices. Place and Duration of Study: All India Coordinated Research Project on Vegetable Crops, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar during Kharif, 2023-24. Methodology: A diverse set of 52 genotypes was evaluated for key agronomic traits, including plant height, number of branches per plant, fruit length, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and yield per plant. Results: Analysis revealed significant variation among genotypes for all studied traits, indicating the presence of ample genetic diversity. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for yield and related traits, suggesting that selection would be effective for genetic improvement. Correlation analysis demonstrated that fruit yield per plant had strong positive associations with number of fruits per plant and fruit weight, highlighting their importance in selection strategies. Conclusion: These findings provide valuable insights for breeding programs aimed at enhancing okra productivity through selection of superior genotypes based on key yield-contributing traits.