Multivariate analysis in advance lines of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

An attempt was made to determine the degree of divergence among 37 genotypes of okra. The multivariate analysis (D2) arranged 37 genotypes into 8 clusters in pooled over years and hence, showed reasonable variability. The cluster I was the largest, comprising of 54.54% genotypes , showing high degree of homogeneity among them or had least genetic variation. The intra-cluster distance was high in cluster VI and VIII followed by cluster II. Maximum intercluster distance was observed between cluster II and VI in pooled over years. Based on cluster means, cluster IV ‘(IC-169469-1 × PK)-1-2-1-2’ for fruits/plant and nodes/plant and cluster III ‘(VRH-2 × VRO-6)-9-2-1-3’ for fruit yield/plant were found high for pooled over years. The contribution of individual character toward diversity, calculated by using Mahalanobis D2divergence, showed that the mineral content (58.71%), dry matter (22.07%) fruit yield/plant (12.31%) and internodal length (3.15%) was the most important characteristic for divergence in pooled over the years.