Genetic assessment for seed yield, agronomic and quality characters in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

The present investigation was carried out to generate information for quantitative and quality traits in seed crop of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). The experiment material consisted of 30 genotypes of okra that were evaluated in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) during summer-rainy season, 2018. The observations were recorded on days to 50 per cent flowering, node at which the first pod set, plant height (cm), nodes per plant, internodal length (cm), days to seed maturity, seeds per pod, seed yield (q/ha), 100-seed weight (g), seed germination (%) and seed vigour. Significant differences were observed among the genotypes for all the traits, indicated sufficient variation for all the traits. Among all, genotypes DPO-5, Kashi Satdhari, Palam Komal, 9801 and Punjab Suhawani were the highest seed yielder. The PCV was invariably higher than their corresponding GCV for most of the characters, indicated close association between phenotype and genotype. High to moderate PCV as well as GCV was observed for seed yield followed by node at which the first pod set, seed vigour, plant height, nodes per plant, seed germination and internodal length depicting the presence of substantial variability and would respond better to selection. High heritability along with high genetic advance was observed for seed vigour, node at which the first pod set and seed yield, respectively revealing the importance of additive gene action for the inheritance of these traits, and further improvement could be done through phenotypic selection.