Estimation of Simple Correlation and Genetic Variability Studies in F2 Population of Three Different Crosses in Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Simple correlation analysis and variability analysis was done in three crosses of bhendi viz., IC 049972 x Arka Anamika, IC 058704 × Arka Anamika, IC 045993 × Pusa - A4 at Annamalai University, Chidambaram. The correlation analysis for eight characters plant height, days to first flowering, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit weight, fruit yield per plant was done. The result showed that number of branches per plant, numbers of fruits per plant, fruit weight are highly correlated with fruit yield per plant. Genetic variability parameters like GCV, PCV, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean were estimated. In all the three crosses PCV was higher in magnitude than GCV which may be due to the effect of environment. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed in two crosses. This indicates the effect of additive gene action. From the above study it can be seen that fruit yield improvement in bhendi can be done by selection based on fruit weight, number of fruits per plant and number of branches per plant.