D² analysis for assessing genetic diversity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench)

Genetic divergence analysis following Mahalanobis D² statistics revealed considerable genetic diversity among 46 genotypes of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) for all the fourteen quantitative characters pertaining to growth, earliness and yield. Forty six genotypes were grouped into fve distinct clusters depending up on the similarities of their D² values following Tocher's method. The germplasm collected from same place scatted in to different clusters indicating genetic diversity not parallel with geographical diversity. Appreciable diversity within and between fve clusters was observed. The traits viz., yield per plot (36.45%), plant height (26.27%), number of seeds per plant (16.83%), number of fruits per plant (6.47%) and yield per plant (4. 53%) were the potent factors in differentiating the germplasm of okra under study. The use of diverse genotypes from the clusters with high inter cluster distance (clusters IV and V, III and IV, I and IV and II and IV) in hybridization is expected to result in high heterosis and throw desirable transgressive segregants.