An insight into the phenotypic correlation and path analysis for yield and yield contributing traits in the F2 segregating population of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Abstract

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is a crop predominantly grown in tropical and subtropical regions. An experiment was conducted to assess the relationship between various traits influencing crop yield and their direct and indirect effects on yield. This study analyzed the F2 segregating population of the cross OK-2017-006 x Pusa A4 during the summer of 2023 at the Department of Biotechnology and Crop Improvement, College of Horticulture, Bengaluru. The correlation analysis indicated that plant height, number of branches per plant, number of nodes on the main stem, stem girth, fruit diameter, and the number of fruits per plant exhibited a significant and positive correlation with total yield per plant. However, a significant negative correlation was observed for days to the first flowering with total yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis further revealed that the number of fruits per plant and average fruit weight had strong positive direct effects on yield per plant. Therefore, these quantitative traits could be valuable in developing selection indices for improving okra yield.