Genetic divergence studies in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Thirty-nine okra genotypes were assessed for genetic divergence using Mahanalobis D² statistics. The population was grouped in to eight clusters. The cluster I was the largest with 14 genotypes followed by cluster II with 8, cluster III with 5, cluster IV and V with 4 in each and cluster VI with 2 genotypes, while cluster VII and VIII included only one genotype in each. The clustering pattern indicated that there was no association between geographical distribution of genotypes and genetic divergence. The intra-cluster distance was maximum in cluster IV, while inter-cluster distance was maximum between cluster VIII and VI followed by VII and VI and are good source for attempting hybridization. The characters namely number of seeds per fruit, fruit width, average fruit weight, plant height, node at which 1^st flower appears, number of fruits per plant and fruit length contributed maximum divergence and, therefore, selection of divergent parents based on these characters is recommended for getting good hybrids or segregants in okra.