Genetic Evaluation of Twenty Diverse Genotypes of Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus L. Moench) in Hilly Regions of North India

Abstract

An experiment was conducted during the Monsoon season of 2020 to evaluate twenty genotypes of okra for agro-morphological traits collected from Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK) for yield and its contributing characters under field conditions at Jawali, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. High significance of analysis of variation showed the existence of large variability among the genotypes. The experiment was laid out in randomized block design with three replications and 10 plants/row. Highest GCV and PCV was found for 100 seed weight followed by days to first flowering node, yield per plant. While the lowest was observed for fruit girth, plant height and fruit length which determines the negligible influence of environment on the different traits. High broad sense heritability was observed for days to first flowering node and genetic advance was recorded highest for yield per plant. Average fruit weight, fruit length and fruit girth were in positive and significant relationship with yield per plant. Principal component analysis revealed the first four major principal components having Eigen value >1 which contributed 82.693% of the total variation. Cluster analysis suggested that the hybridization of cluster I with cluster II would be beneficial for developing varieties in different parts of India because of the variation present between both the clusters.