Analysis of Genetic Variability and Correlation Studies on Fruit Yield and Its Component Characters in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

A field experiment was carried out with 20 Okra genotypes with one check for analysis of genetic variability and correlation studies on fruit yield and its component characters in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) in a randomized block design with three replications. The material was planted 30 x 45cm, and genotype to genotype 45 cm on July 20, 2023. The experiment was carried out during the Kharif season of 2023-2024 at research farm, College of Agriculture Saralgaon, Murbad, Thane. The observations were recorded on thirteen traits viz., days to first flowering, plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of internodes, internodal length (cm), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), average fruit weight (cm), number of fruits per plant, number of seeds per fruit, seed index (%), and fruit yield per plant (g). The estimation of analysis of variance revealed mean sum of square due to genotypes were significant for all the characters indicating sufficient genetic variability among the genotypes. The present study revealed that the phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits which might be due to the interaction of the genotypes with the environment to some degree or other explaining environmental factors influencing the expression of these characters. Moderate phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were recorded in plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, average fruit weight (cm), number of fruits per plant, and fruit yield per plant (g). High estimation genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was recorded for average fruit weight (cm), and number of fruits per plant. Moderate genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was recorded for plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, internodal length (cm) and fruit yield per plant (g). Low genetic advance as a percentage of the mean was recorded for days to first flowering, number of internodes, fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), and number of seeds per fruit.