Genetic variability analysis for the selection of elite genotypes based on pod yield and quality from the germplasm of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

Genetic variability on 100 genotypes of okra revealed high magnitude of genetic variability and high degree of transmission of majority of the growth, earliness and yield associated traits under study. High magnitude of genotypic coefficient of variation (>20.00 %) for number of branches per plant, total number of fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, total yield per plant (g), marketable yield per plant (g) and yellow vein mosaic virus infestation on plants (%) indicated high degree of genetic variability offering great scope for selection of these characters. The characters plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, internodal length (cm), days to fifty per cent flowering, first flowering node, first fruiting node, fruit length (cm), fruit weight (g), total number of fruits per plant, number of marketable fruits per plant, total yield per plant (g), marketable yield per plant (g), yellow vein mosaic virus infestation on fruits and plants (%) having high heritability (>60.00 %) coupled with high expected genetic advance (>20.00 %) revealed that a very significant improvement is possible through selection for all these characters. On the basis of mean performance for pod yield and its components and acceptable pod quality traits, ten germplasm lines namely IC282248, IC27826-A, IC29119-B, IC31398-A, IC45732, IC89819, IC89976, IC90107, IC99716 and IC111443 were found to be horticulturally superior, which can be utilized for the development of open pollinated varieties or hybrids.