Abstract

                                The nature and magnitude of genetic divergence in 35 okra genotypes for ten characters were assessed using Mahalanobis D2 statistic. The mean for pod yield per plant was higher in the genotype Pusa A4 (443.00 g) followed by Parbhani Kranti (406.03 g) and Punjab Padmini (378.67 g). The genotypes were grouped into ten clusters. Cluster III was the largest containing 16 genotypes followed by cluster VIII with four genotypes. Composition of clusters indicated non existence of correspondence between genetic diversity and geographical distribution. Pod yield, plant height and length of edible pod were the major characters contributing towards divergence. Cluster VII and X (83.25) were the most divergent followed by cluster V and X (74.05). This study can well be utilized for selection of divergent genotypes for further crop improvement programme. It is suggested that varietal improvement programme through the hybridization among the genotypes of divergent clusters should be done rather than depending on less divergent clusters. Pod yield per plant had significant positive relationship with number of pods per plant at phenotypic, genotypic and environmental levels. It evinced significant positive phenotypic and genotypic associations with single pod weight. It also showed positive significant association with plant height at genotypic level. Path analysis revealed the importance of number of pods per plant and single pod weight in the pod yield enhancement in okra. Number of pods per plant exerted high positive direct effect towards pod yield plant. It was followed by single pod weight. Moreover, many characters exertedtheir positive indirect effect towards pod yield per plant through number of pods per plant. The magnitude of genotypic correlations was more than that of phenotypic correlation for all the traits.

Key words : D2 Analysis, correlation, path analysis and okra