Genetic divergence and rela tionship analysis among the okra genotypes by morphological traits

The present study was conducted at Horticulture Research Centre, Department of Horticulture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, developed and maintained for using conventional agronomic practices to keep the crop in good condition. Study of morphological in landrace collections was carried out during 2011–2012. In this experiment 20 germplasm of okra used to study the genetic divergence in important traits of okra for the purpose of genetic improvement and their effect in germplasms. Genetic diversity is the first and important parameter in crop improvement programme. In the present investigation twenty okra genotypes were assessed to know the nature and magnitude of genetic divergence by using Mahalanobis D² statistics. The D² study has brought out the fact that the maximum distance D² = 4.403 in all germplasm and the maximum distance D² = 4.403 was found between cluster V and cluster II. Cluster V consisted of two varieties namely SKY/TD/RS-113, FB-10. Both are from Varanasi, whereas cluster II consist three varieties namely IC-11527, SC-108 and VRO-1668 from Varanasi. The higher mean value germplasm for these traits deserve to be considered as potent parents for further improvement programme.