Genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for fruit yield and its attributes in F2 generation in selected crosses of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)

Studies were conducted to know the genetic variability and character association and path co-efficient for nine quantitative characters in F2 generation of three crosses in okra. The results indicated that the phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were moderate to high for yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, plant height in cross-1. High broad sense heritability coupled with high genetic advance as mean percent was recorded for plant height, internodal length, fruit length, fruit grith, fruit weight, number of nodes per plant, number of fruits per plant and fruit yield per plant for all the three crosses which indicated lower environmental influence on these traits and the prevalence of additive genes. Simple and early selection schemes would be effective for the improvement of these traits. In all the three crosses, fruit yield was positively and significantly correlated with number of fruits per plant, fruit grith, number of nodes per plant and fruit weight. This indicated that the fruit yield could be improved through indirect selection of these traits. The higher frequency of total desirable transgressive segregants was recovered in cross-3. Overall, cross-2 combines high genetic variability, strong heritability and high direct effects on yield-related traits, making it the most promising for selection and improvement in okra breeding.