Genetic Variability, Heritability, Character Association and Morphological Diversity in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, correlation coefficient analysis, path coefficient analysis and genetic divergence between yield and its contributing traits were studied in 28 okra genotypes. The phenotypic coefficient of variations was found slightly higher than the genotypic coefficient of variations for all characters studied, indicating that the apparent variation is not only genetic but also influenced by the growing environment in the expression of the traits. High genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed primary branches (43.91 and 33.64) and fruit yield per plant (37.51 and 32.48). High heritability coupled with high genetic advance in percent of mean in number of plant height (97.32 and 29.98), no. of fruit per plant (88.55 and 50.44), fruit yield per plant (74.99 and 57.94), seed per fruit (73.02 and 34.00) and primary branches (58.70 and 53.10) suggested that these characters would be considered for varietal selection. The correlation studies revealed that fruit yield per plant showed significant positive correlation with no. of average fruit weight, number of fruit per, plant height and significantly negative correlation with seed per fruit at genotypic and phenotypic level which can be considered for selection of a good variety. Path analysis revealed days to 50% flowering, plant height, number of fruit per plant, average fruit weight had direct positive effect on pod yield per plant, indicating these traits are the main contributors to fruit yield per plant. The divergence value for cluster analysis showed the highest inter-cluster distance between clusters I and V which indicates that these genotypes may provide high heterosis in hybridization and expected to show wide variability in genetic architecture. The selection of high yielding genotypes should give emphasis to the days to flowering (earliness), number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and less seeds per fruit.