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Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 13 No. 3 (2026)

Assessment of genetic diversity in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) genotypes for yield and virus tolerance

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.13071
Submitted
4 December 2025
Published
02-07-2026 — Updated on 09-07-2026
Versions

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an important vegetable crop cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study aimed to assess genetic variability and identify high-yielding and virus-resistant genotypes. A total of 30 okra genotypes along with three checks (Kashi Lalima, Pusa Sawani and Kashi Kranti) were evaluated during the kharif season of 2023–24 using a randomized block design (RBD) with 3 replications at Nalanda College of Horticulture, Noorsarai, Bihar. Significant differences among genotypes were observed for all the studied traits, indicating the presence of substantial genetic variability. The phenotypic coefficient of variation (PCV) ranged from 8.78 % for moisture content to 198.03 % for enation leaf curl virus (ELCV) incidence, whereas the genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) ranged from                             6.45–187.64 % for different traits. High PCV and GCV were recorded for number of branches per plant, fruit yield per plant and related traits, indicating substantial genetic variability. Broad-sense heritability ranged from 54.32 to 96.85 %, and high heritability coupled with high genetic advance (GA) was observed for plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield and yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) incidence, indicating the predominance of additive gene action. Among the evaluated genotypes, BCO-1 recorded the highest fruit yield per plant (398.63 g) followed by EC 112241 (326.40 g) and Sarita (290.80 g). The genotype BCO-1 also exhibited the lowest incidence of YVMV (11.00 %) and ELCV (14.67 %) and was categorised as resistant based on percent disease incidence (PDI), with genotypes were classified as resistant (0–10 %), moderately resistant (11–25 %), moderately susceptible (26–50 %), susceptible (51–75 %) and highly susceptible (> 75 %). These superior genotypes can serve as valuable genetic resources for developing high-yielding and virus-resistant okra varieties.

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