African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 5 (14), pp. 1330-1336, 16 July 2006   

ISSN 1684–5315 © 2006 Academic Journals        

Full Length Research Paper

Correlation and path coefficient analyses of seed yield attributes in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

B.O. Akinyele* and O.S. Osekita

Department of Crop, Soil and Pest Management, Federal University of Technology, P. M. B. 704, Akure, Nigeria.

 *Corresponding authors E-mail. yele174@yahoo.co.uk.

Accepted 9 June, 2006

NH47-4 variety of okra, Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench, was grown in two locations for two years from seeds collected from the National Institute of Horticultural Research and Training (NIHORT), Ibadan, Nigeria.  Experimental design adopted for the study was the randomised complete block design (RCBD).  Correlation and path coefficients were calculated for seed yield per plant and its components from data amassed over two years. The components of seed yield considered are days to flowering, days to maturity, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, height at flowering, final height, pod length, pod width, number of seeds per pod and weight of hundred seeds.  Seed yield per plant showed significant positive correlation with number of pods per plant, height at flowering, pod width and weight of hundred seeds. Path coefficient analysis revealed that number of pods per plant and height at flowering had the highest direct effect on seed yield.  This suggests that the two attributes have a strong influence on seed yield. Hence, number of pods per plant and height at flowering are the main determiners of seed yield per plant in the studied variety.

Key words: Correlation coefficient, path coefficient, seed yield, okra.