Morphological Characterization of Okra {Abelmoschus eculentus (L.) Moench} Genotypes

The present study entitled “Morphological characterization of okra {Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench} genotypes” was carried out at the Research farm of Department of Vegetable Science, CCS HAU, Hisar during spring summer season of the year 2012 on the basis of morphological descriptors with the objective to identify key diagnostic characters of the genotypes. Observations were recorded for 14 morphological characters. Analysis of variance studies indicated significant differences among all the genotypes for all the characters under study. Highest mean fruit yield per plant was recorded for the genotype Hisar Naveen. Serration of leaf blade margin, vein colour, intensity of colour between vein, depth of lobing and petal base colour distinguished all the 20 genotypes by assigning them key diagnostic features that would certainly help the plant breeders, to use these diagnostic characters for trait specific use in breeding programme. The genotype Hisar Naveen was found as superior with high mean values for internodal length, number of nodes at first flowering, petiole length, plant height and flower diameter were recorded maximum in HBT-1-1, HBT-51-1-1, HBT-70-1 and HBT-6-7-1 respectively.