Studies on genetic parameters in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

The present investigation was conducted at a vegetable research farm, BUAT, Banda during the summer and rainy seasons, 2019, to determine the extent of variability, heritability and genetic advance. Analysis of variance indicated a significant difference among the genotypes for different characters. During the summer season the characters, yield (q ha-1) and yield per plant exhibited higher PCV and GCV estimates than rest of the characters and during rainy season days to 50% germination exhibited higher PCV and GCV estimates suggesting that there is the possibility of improving these traits through selection. The difference between PCV and GCV values during the summer season was  high for fruit length, days to 50% germination and node to the first flower appear. Whereas, for the rainy season difference was high for fruit length and the number of fruits per plant suggesting the role of environment in expression of these traits. In present study, heritability estimates were high for yield (q ha-1), yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to first harvesting, the number of leaves at 90 DAS and the number of fruits per plant during the summer season and for the rainy season heritability estimates were high for yield (q ha-1), plant height at 90 DAS, the number of leaves at 90 DAS, yield per plant and days to 50% germination indicating that the selection based on phenotypic performance of these characters would be more operative. High genetic advance as per cent of mean for the summer season was recorded for yield (q ha-1), yield per plant and the number of fruits per plant. Whereas, for rainy season it was recorded high for days to 50% germination and plant height at 90 DAS. On the basis of mean performance, the fruit yield (q ha-1) was recorded maximum in genotype Kashi Pragati followed by Arka Nikita, Hisar Unnat and Phule Vimukta during the summer season. Whereas, for the rainy season genotype Hisar Naveen having maximum yield (q ha-1) followed by Varsha Uphar, Pusa Sawani and Akola Bahar.  Keywords: Okra, variability, heritability, performance