Genetic variability and diversity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench).

In the present investigation an attempt has been made to evaluate the genetic variability of some yield contributing characters, and the genetic diversity in fifty genotypes of okra collected from the NBPGR New Delhi, India. Analysis of variance indicated significant difference among the genotypes for different morphological characters. High values of GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance (% of mean) observed for number of fruiting nodes, number of ridges per fruit, plant height and number of fruiting nodes indicated these characters might be controlled by additive genes. On the basis of D2 analysis, the 50 genotypes could be grouped into 5 clusters. Cluster I had the highest number of genotypes (45) followed by cluster II (2). Remaining clusters were monogenotypic. Plant height had the highest contribution towards the total genetic divergence. The highest intra-cluster distances were recorded in cluster I followed by cluster II. The maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded between cluster IV and cluster II, followed by cluster V and cluster II. Among the 50 genotypes, IC-332454 showed the highest cluster mean for fruit yield per plant and number of fruits per plant. The genotypes which were in the cluster V, III and II also exhibited significant performance for fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per plant and plant height sequentially. On the basis of groupings of individual genotypes into different clusters, contribution of individual character towards total genetic divergence, inter-cluster distance and cluster mean, the genotypes such as IC-9856B, IC-331157, IC-342075, IC-332453 and IC-43736 were found promising for using in the hybridization programme.Key words: