Vol. 12, Issue 9 (2023)

Author(s):
Nishagobika R, Renugadevi J, Jerlin R, Ganesan K and Usha Nandhini Devi H

Abstract:
Bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus) is an important vegetable crop and it is a multiuse crop because its leaves, stem, floral parts, fruits and seeds are useful in many fields. This study investigated the morphological characterization among the traditional bhendi varieties as per DUS guidelines. The seeds of traditional bhendi varieties were evaluated for the morphological characteristics at Agricultural Research Station, Bhavanisagar during 2023. Red okra had red stem colour while others had green stem colour. White okra, tree okra and malai okra had red purple vein colour while others had green vein colour. The seed coat colour (olive green) character was similar in all varieties. The highly significant and positive correlation of petiole length, length of flower, fruit length at maturity stage and physiological maturity, fruit diameter at physiological maturity and number of locules characters would lead to simultaneous improvement for yield per plant. This study further leads to the use of morphological characteristics to characterize plant genetic resources. These characteristics may be exploited by plant breeders for further utilization of traditional bhendi varieties in varietal development programme.