Abstract
No research has been done to assess the genetic diversity of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) genotypes in Ethiopia based on the combination of agromorphology and biochemical traits of the crop. Such an assessment would assist in the development of high fruit yield and nutritionally good cultivars. Therefore, 36 okra genotypes were evaluated for 29 agromorphological and biochemical traits at the Melkassa Agricultural Research Center (Ethiopia) during the 2018 main rainy season, using a 6 × 6 simple lattice design. Analysis of variance showed significant differences among genotypes for all the studied traits, except number of flower epicalyxes and fruit diameter. Genotypic coefficients of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation were high for number of branches, internode length, fresh fruit weight, number of mature pods, fruit yield per plant, fruit yield per hectare, seed yield per plant, seed yield per hectare, and seed protein content. Heritability values ranged between 33.63 and 99.81%, while the genetic advance as percentage of mean ranged between 4.29 and 95.45%. High broad sense heritability was coupled with high GAM for plant height, branch, internod length, fruit length, panicle length, fresh fruit weight, number of fruits per plant, number of mature pods, seed yield per plant, seed yield per hectare, and fibre and protein content. In conclusion, this study showed the presence of genetic variation among genotypes for fruit yield, seed yield, and nutritional content, indicating the potential success of developing okra varieties for high fruit yielding and good nutritional content.
Highlights
Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is one of the most widely known and utilized species of the family Malvaceae [1]
Phenology and Growth Traits. e results of the analysis of variance for 13 phenology and growth traits indicated the presence of significant differences among the 36 okra genotypes, and genotypes had nonsignificant difference for number of flower epicalyxes
Reference [21] characterized okra genotypes collected from BenishangulGumuz reginal state of Ethiopia and reported that there were no significant differences in numbers of flower epicalyxes among the studied genotypes
Summary
Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is one of the most widely known and utilized species of the family Malvaceae [1]. E nutritive value of okra comprises carbohydrate, protein, fat, iron, calcium, fibre, thiamine, nicotinamide, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid [7]. Characterization of okra has great importance for current and future genetic improvement programs of the crop [9]. Proper management of crop diversity can produce a permanent gain in the performance of plant, while high heritability of the traits gives a better opportunity for breeders to select directly for the traits of interest [10]. Knowledge of genetic diversity is a prerequisite to develop varieties or to identify parental lines to use in combination breeding [11]. There is no complete data on production area and productivity of okra in Ethiopia, it is a traditional crop in South Western, Western, and North Western part of the country. There is no complete data on production area and productivity of okra in Ethiopia, it is a traditional crop in South Western, Western, and North Western part of the country. e crop has been considered a minor crop and has not been given research attention [12]. e first improved variety
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