Seasonal evaluation of yield and yield component traits of thirteen okra genotypes in a derived savannah

Abstract

Ten improved okra genotypes obtained from National Institute for Horticultural Research and Training, Okigwe, Nigeria and three local cultivars were evaluated under early and late planting seasons of 2014 and 2015. The aim of this study is to estimate the relationship and magnitude of direct effects among the traits as well as determine the degree of heritability and variability among the genotypes. Genotypic stability analysis was also performed on the yield and the two traits most related to yield. ‘Ele Uhie’ genotype had the highest values for most of the parameters measured for both early and late planting seasons. Among the improved genotypes, ‘TAE 38’ had relatively appreciable yield. In both seasons, all the traits studied showed positive and significant (p < 0.01) correlation with total fruit yield, although number of fruits/plant and plant height at maturity had the strongest relationship. The yield stability estimates showed that the genotypes independently expressed their traits in the four different stability groups. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of fruits/plant and plant height at maturity had higher positive and higher magnitude of direct effect than the direct effects of the associated parameters studied for both planting seasons. Thus, selecting ‘Ele Uhie’, ‘Ele Ogwu’, ‘Ele Ndu’ and ‘TAE 38’ genotypes with relatively stable and high number of fruits/plant and plant height at maturity would have greater impact in sustaining high yields in okra.