Genetic divergence analysis of indigenous and exotic collections of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench).

Abstract

Genetic divergence analysis following Mahalanobis D statistics revealed considerable genetic diversity among 100 genotypes of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) for all the seventeen quantitative characters which pertaining to the growth, earliness and yield. Hundred genotypes were grouped into 11 distinct clusters depending upon the similarities of their D values following Tocher’s method. The clustering pattern of germplasm usually did not follow the geographical distribution. Appreciable diversity within and between 11 clusters was observed. The characters fruit length, internodal length and number of marketable fruits per plant were the potent factors in differentiating the germplasm of okra under study. The use of diverse genotypes from the clusters with high intercluster distance (cluster VI and X, VI and IX and VII and XI) in hybridization is expected to result in high heterosis and throw desirable transgressive segregants. The genotypes of six solitary clusters IV (IC043279-A) , IC033350(cluster VI), IC90210 (cluster VII), IC26375 (cluster IX), IC018530 (cluster X) and IC043751-B (cluster XI) being divergent from others may also serve as potential parents for breeding programmes.