Genetic Diversity Analysis in Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench) Using Morphological Characters

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to assess the genetic variabilityamong the thirty genotypes were collected from different geographical originsduring summer season (2020-2021). At morphological level,ANOVA showed significant variation for all traits indicating greater variability in germplasm. The high percent of genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation (>25%) was observed for number of primary branches onlywhich indicates that high degree of variability in these characters and suggested that possibility of yield improvement through selectin of this traits. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was recorded in number of branches per plant followed by seed yield per plant, plant height, biological yield per plant, number of pods per plant, days to maturity, days to 50% flowering and harvest index which indicates that above characters may be most potential for further improvement. The genotypiccorrelation was higher in magnitude than the phenotypic correlation coefficient. Fruit yield showed positive and significant correlation with plant height, fruit diameter, number of branches per plant, fruit length, number of flowers per plant, test weight and number of fruits per plant. Path coefficient analysis showedpositive direct effect observed for harvest index followed by biological yield per plant, number of branches per plant, plant height, days to maturity. High but negative direct effect exhibited by days to 50% flowering, number of pods per plant and number of seeds per pod on seed yield per planton fruit yield. By improving other characters fruit yield in okra might be improved. Mahalanobis D2 statistics revealed that a considerablegenetic diversity was found amonggenotypes. Total study thirty genotypes of okra were six clusters formed. The cluster I, II and III (6 genotypes) each were obtained the maximum number of genotypes and lowest in cluster VI (2 genotypes). The maximum inter cluster D2 distance was recorded between Cluster III and Cluster V and the minimum inter cluster D2 distance was recorded between clusterII and IV. The maximum intra cluster Distance was found in cluster IIIfollowed by cluster II. The minimum intra cluster distance was recorded cluster VI. The maximum inter cluster D2 distance indicates that genotypes of Cluster III and Cluster V are not closely related, whereas, the genotypes of cluster II and IV were found closely related due to minimum inter cluster D2 distance