Estimation of correlation and path coefficient for morphological and quantitative traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

An experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) using 18 diverse okra genotypes for ten quantitative morphological traits in okra. The highest positive and significant correlation coefficient of fruit yield per plant was observed with plant height at 90 DAS, recorded highly significant and positive association with first flowering node (0.541), yield per plant (0.281), and no. of seeds per fruit at 90 DAS (0.274). Fruit diameter expressed a highly significant and positive correlation coefficient with fruit yield per plant (0.490) and no. of fruits per plant (0.264). The correlation coefficient of no. of seeds per fruit was found to be significant and positive correlation with no. of fruits per plant (0.549). The correlation coefficient of no. of fruits per plant was found to be significant and positive correlation with yield per plant (0.858). Path coefficient analysis of different characters contributing towards yield per plant showed that plant height at 45 DAS (1.648) had highest positive direct effect followed by days to first flowering (1.499), length of fruit (0.385), no. of seeds per fruit (0.376), no. of fruits per plant (0.371), diameter of fruit (0.370) whereas, plant height at 90 DAS (-1.218) had the highest negative direct effect on fruit yield per plant followed by days to 50% flowering (-1.049) and first flowering node (-0.165).