Genetic variability, heritability, genetic advance, association between fruit yield and yield components of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) accessions grown in two different years

Abstract

Genetic improvement of okra for yield is significant because of the nutritional, economic and health benefits inherent in it and to overcome the low genetic potential of the existing varieties and environmental factors which are the major constraints to okra yield. Therefore, this study was carried out to understand the genetic nature of yield, its association with yield components on which selection can be made and to determine the effect of different years on genetic gain. The experiment involved the evaluation of twenty okra accessions in the rainy seasons of year 2019 and 2020 in a randomised complete block design. Data were collected on fourteen characters and analysed. Genotype × Year was highly significant for all the analysed characters. High heritability and high genetic advance as percent of mean were recorded for most of the characters in both years indicating that these traits were less influenced by the environment and presence of additive gene action. Genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability and genetic advance were observed to be higher for some traits in 2019 but lower for those traits in 2020. Pod yield had positive correlation with only plant height at 50% flowering, pod length, number of seeds per pods and peduncle length in both years 2019 and 2020 while the remaining were negatively correlated with pod yield in both years except petiole length and number of pods per plant. Therefore, selection based on these traits could be highly rewarding and may not be considered based on different years.