Genetic Characterization of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) Genotypes: A Step Toward Crop Diversification and Sustainable Agriculture

Abstract

The investigation was undertaken at the Sagdividi Farm, Department of Seed Science and Technology, College of Agriculture, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh, during kharif 2021 to DUS characterize 23 okra genotypes based on the quantitative characters. Observations for twenty three okra genotypes were recorded for 15 quantitative characters. Based on the variation in plant height (cm), the 23 genotypes were grouped as short (4 genotypes), medium (15 genotypes) and tall (4 genotypes), while based on number of nodes at first flowering of stem, the genotypes were grouped as medium (12 genotypes) and many (11 genotypes) and based on the number of branches per plant, the okra genotypes were grouped as few (15 genotypes), medium (7 genotypes) and many (1 genotype). The okra genotypes were divided into two categories: large (22 genotypes) and medium (1 genotype) based on the stem diameter, while genotypes were categorized as early (11 genotypes), medium (11 genotypes) and late (1 genotype) based on the days to 50% flowering period. The okra genotypes were divided into two groups based on flower length: medium (4 genotypes) and large (19 genotypes). The genotypes were divided into three categories based on flower diameter: large (1 genotype), medium (21 genotypes) and small (1 genotype), while okra genotypes were divided into three categories based on fruit length: long (2 genotypes), medium (19 genotypes) and short (2 genotypes). The okra genotypes were divided into three categories based on the fruit diameter at 70 days: large (4 genotypes), medium (18 genotypes) and small (1 genotype). The okra genotypes were categorized as medium (1 genotype) and few (22 genotypes) based on the number of locules, while the genotypes were divided into three categories: long (3 genotypes), medium (19 genotypes) and short (1 genotype) based on the length of physiologically mature fruit. The genotypes were divided into two categories: large (20 genotypes) and medium (3 genotypes) based on the fruit diameter at 60 days. The genotypes were divided into three categories: long (19 genotypes), medium (2 genotypes) and short (2 genotypes) based on the petiole length, while according to the leaf blade length, the genotypes were grouped as long (18 genotypes) medium (5 genotypes). Based on the leaf blade width, the genotypes were grouped as large (22 genotypes) and medium (1 genotype).