Estimation of parameters of variability for different quantitative traits in okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench

The scope of improvement in any crop depends upon the magnitude of genetic variability present in the available germplasm. Greater the variability in the available germplasm better would be the chances of selecting superior genotypes. Therefore thirty five diverse genotypes of okra were evaluated for yield and its contributing traits and analysis of variance showed significant differences among all the genotypes for all the characters under study. Five genotypes namely IC-58235, LC-139, VRO-3, LC-12-5 and Arka Anamika gave higher yield and also performed better for other horticultural traits viz days taken to marketable maturity, fruit breadth, average fruit weight, harvest duration, number of marketable pods per plant than the check variety P-8. For all the characters studied phenotypic coefficients of variability were higher in magnitude than genotypic coefficients of variability thus showing that these traits were less influenced by environmental factors. High heritability estimates coupled with high genetic gain were observed for fruit yield per plant and per hectare which indicates that these characters are under additive gene effects and are more reliable for effective selection.