Variation in Genetic Diversity in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Genetic divergence was studied among fifty five diverse exotic and indigenous genotypes of okra collected from NBPGR, New Delhi and five standard checks namely Phule Utkarsh, Hisar Unnat, VRO5, VRO-6 and Pusa A4 were evaluated in (Randomized Complete Block Design) design during Kharif, 2011–2012 at Vegetable Research Farm, JNKVV, Jabalpur (M.P.) result estimated that, number of locules contributed most towards genetic divergence followed by the remaining characters in descending order namely 100 seed weight, leaf blade length, node at first flower appears, fruit yield plant⁻¹, these five traits accounted for 51.58% of total variability. three clusters were polygenotypic, Cluster I was the largest cluster with 40 genotypes followed by Cluster VIII with 7 genotypes while, Cluster IV comprised of only 4 genotypes whereas the remaining nine clusters were mono-genotypic, these diverse clusters may be used for further hybridization. Cluster VIII showed maximum intra cluster D² value followed by Cluster I and Cluster IV. Cluster II, III, V, VI, VII, IX, X, XI and XII being monogenotypic showed no intra cluster divergence. The highest inter cluster divergence was observed between genotypes of Cluster IV and X, followed by Cluster VI vs. XI and II vs. X. Cluster II recorded low incidence of yellow vein mosaic virus with high fruit weight, while genotypes of cluster IV were identified as good donors for plant height, number of fruits plant and fruit yield plant⁻¹. 41.41% of total variation was expressed maximum group constellations by first two canonical roots. Pusa A4 and EC 550848 were observed to be resistant, whereas VRO-6, Phule Utkarsh, Hisar Unnat, EC 305616 and VRO-5 exhibited moderate resistance to yellow vein mosaic virus. However, 11 genotypes revealed tolerance to the disease, 33 genotypes were susceptible, whereas 9 genotypes expressed high degree of susceptibility to the disease.