Cluster analysis on advanced breeding lines for morphological characters and yield components in okra

The divergent analysis involving twelve morphological and components of yield on 93 advanced okra lines and two checks viz., Varsha Uphar and Hisar Unnat conducted during rainy season revealed their grouping in eight clusters. The cluster 1 contained 24 genotypes whereas cluster 2 to 5 together comprising 53 advanced lines accounted for 57 percent advance lines. The advanced derived lines from a specific cross had a tendency to be grouped in several clusters and thus represented the different nature of recombinants from a specific cross. The intra-cluster distance was the highest in cluster 5 but had lower value in clusters 2, 4 and 6. The inter-cluster distance being higher in cluster 4 vs 5, cluster 5 vs 6, cluster 2 vs 5, and cluster 5 vs 7 revealed that cluster 2, 4 and 6 have the potential of giving maximum variability. However, for fruit yield, cluster 3 was identified as the best. For most of the other observed characters generally lower and higher magnitudes were observed in clusters 8 and 7, respectively for the characters observed. It is indicated that there is further scope of improvement besides getting the insight on fruit yield and its components by involving the advanced lines from different clusters.