Estimation of genetic variability, correlation and path coefficient in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

An experiment was conducted comprising 40 genotypes of okra in RCBD with three replications at HRC, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut during summer season of 2018-19. The significant variation and relatively wide range of mean recorded for all characters, indicated the existence of variation among the tested genotypes. High phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) and genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) were observed for number of primary branches and moderate phenotypic coefficient of variation and genotypic coefficient of variation was observed for length of internode, number of nodes per plant, plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant and fruit yield. High GCV along with high heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for number of primary branches, plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, number of nodes per plant, fruit yield, length of internode, days to first flower initiation, days to 50% flowering, and days to first fruit set. Fruit yield showed positive and significant correlation with fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, plant height, length of internode, fruit length, number of primary branches and duration of crop at both phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficient. The path coefficient analysis indicated high positive direct effect for fruit yield per plant, plant height, days to first flower initiation, number of primary branches and days to first fruit picking and high but negative direct effect exhibited by length of internode, number of nodes per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, days to 50% flowering, days to second fruit picking, duration of crop and days to first fruit set on fruit yield.