Genetic divergence in bhindi (Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] moench

Abstract

Seventy genotypes of bhiiuli were subjected to D2 analysis based on 14 economic characters in order to classify them into group constellation. The 70 genotypes were found to fall into six clusters with 57 genotypes in cluster I, four in cluster II, three in cluster III, two in cluster IV, three in cluster V arid one in cluster VI. The distribution of the genotypes into six different clusters was not according to their places of origin showing that the genotypes forming one group were geographically diverse, while those obtained from the same region were genetically different. Cluster V showed high mean values for yield and major yield attributes indicating that it is superior to the rest of the clusters. Cluster I and IV were genetically closer while cluster II and VI were wider. Selection of parents from cluster II and VI for hybridisation is likely to give heterotic hybrids.