Variability and association of quantitative characters among okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench) collection in south western Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to evaluate genetic variability among Okra accessions based on quantitative morphological traits. Twenty five Okra accessions were planted in 2011/2012 at Gambella in randomized complete block design with three replications. Data on 20 quantitative traits were collected and subjected to various statistical analyses. The analysis of variance showed significant differences (p<0.01) among the accessions for all quantitative characters measured. Estimate of phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation also showed the presence of variability among the accessions for the majority of the character. High heritability (96.76 and 96.50%) coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean (106.32 and 97.25%) were recorded for internodes length and plant height, respectively. Correlation study between various quantitative characters highlighted significant association among characters. Fruit yield was positive and highly significant genotypic correlation with fruit length (r = 0.74), average fruit weight (r = 0.62), fruit diameter (r=0.61), seedperpod(r = 0.56), hundred seed weight (r = 0.68) andnumber of pod per plant (r = 0.66). Path coefficient analysis at genotypic level revealed that internodes number had highly positive direct effect on fruit yield (p = 6.90) followed by average fruit weight (p = 6.89) which had positively genotypic correlation with yield. The present study indicated a considerable amount of variability for the majority of the quantitative characters in Okra for exploitation. However, it is recommended that the experiment should be repeated at more location and years with more collections to confirm the obtained results. © 2014 Asian Network for Scientific Information.