Inter-character Relationships of Okra Traits as Affected by Environment

Abstract

The complexity of relationships among traits that determine yield and the influence of environment on agronomic traits make the study of plant character correlation across environments necessary in plant breeding. Inter-character relationships of agronomic traits were evaluated on genotypes of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L). Moench] over three environments in Nigeria to compare the stability of relationships and determine traits to be targeted in development of an efficient selection index for okra yield improvement. Data were recorded on seed yield, pod yield, 100-seed weight, pod length, pod width, number of leaves and branches, stem diameter, plant height, and days to flowering. Components of variance and covariance were utilized to calculate environmental, genotypic, and phenotypic correlations among seed yield and other traits. Plant height, stem diameter, and pod yield had significant genotypic and phenotypic correlations among themselves and also had genotypic and phenotypic correlations with seed yield over environments. These traits could be utilized to develop a selection index to be applied across locations to increase seed yield in okra.