Estimation of Path Coefficient Analysis and Genetic Diversity Studies in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the path analysis and D2 analysis on 20 different okra genotypes, including one check variety. The experiment was carried out during the Kharif season of 2023-2024 at Research Farm, College of Agriculture Saralgaon, Murbad, Thane. A randomized block design with three replications was employed for the study. The observations were recorded on thirteen traits viz., days to 50% flowering, plant height (cm), number of branches per plant, number of internodes, internodal length (cm), fruit length (cm), fruit diameter (cm), average fruit weight (gm), no. of fruits per plant, no. of seeds per fruit, seed index (%), and fruit yield per plant (g). The traits with the highest positive direct effect in phenotypic path coefficient analysis were observed for number of fruits per plant. The genotypic path coefficient analysis revealed highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant is days to 50% flowering. Thus, these characters need special attention during the time of selection strategy due to their contrasting direct effects. Based on D2 analysis, 20 genotypes were grouped into five clusters. The maximum inter-cluster distance was observed between cluster 5 and cluster 3 indicating that the genotypes falling in these clusters were highly divergent from each other implying a large amount of diversity within and between groups, which could be exploited in breeding programmes. The minimum Inter-cluster distance was found between cluster 5 and cluster 4 indicating that this cluster is less divergent. The cluster means for different characters showed considerable difference among the clusters for all the characters.