Correlation and path coefficient analysis studies in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Correlation and path coefficient analysis studies were carried out in thirty six okra genotypes for fourteen traits viz., days to first flowering, days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, internodal length, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, total phenols, peroxidase activity, polyphenol oxidase activity, per cent disease infection and yield per plant. The study revealed that yield per plant was positively correlated with fruit girth, fruit length, number of fruits per plant, plant height and fruit weight at genotypic level of correlation. Whereas the characters, per cent disease incidence, days to fifty per cent flowering, internodal length and days to first flowering were found to have negative correlation with single plant yield at genotypic level. The high positive direct effect on yield plant was contributed by fruit girth followed by plant height, fruit weight, fruit length and number of branches per plant. Hence, improvement in yield will be efficient if selection is based on fruit girth, fruit length, number of fruits per plant, plant height and fruit weight and short flowering period.