Plant character correlations and path analysis of pod yield in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Summary

Genotypic, phenotypic and environmental correlation coefficients were calculated for fifteen characters during two growing seasons. Correlation coefficients varie between seasons. Edible pod weight, edible pod length, edible pod width, number of seeds per plant, weight of 100 seeds, length of mature pods and number of branches per plant showed significant genotypic correlation with pod yield per plant; only number of branches per plant, edible pod length and weight of 100 seeds were phenotypically correlated with pod yield. Environmental correlation coefficients were generally low but edible pod length, final plant height and edible pod weight showed significant environmental correlation with pod yield during the two seasons.

The genotypic correlation coefficients of selected eight characters with pod yield were partitioned into direct and indirect causes. In the early seasons, edible pod weight had the largest positive direct effect on pod yield with its largest indirect effect through reduction in edible pod width. Edible pod width which was highly correlated with pod yield had a negative direct effect on pod yield. In the late season, edible pod weight had the largest direct effect on pod yield, with large indirect effects through reduction in number of days to flowering and number of pods per plant. Number of days to flowering had a large direct effect on pod yield with its largest indirect effect through reduction in edible pod weight. The residual factors during the two seasons were negative. The study indicated that only number of branches per plant, edible pod length and weight of 100 seeds would be useful for indirect selection for pod yield. The path analysis indicated that edible pod weight was the most reliable and effective character to select for when high yield is the objective.