Genetic Diversity of Ethiopian Okra Collections through Multivariate Analysis at Werer, Rift Valley of Ethiopia

Abstract

Okra[Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)Moench] is the most popular multipurpose vegetable and it belongs to Malvaceae family. It flourished before date palm in the tropical climate of Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was initiated with the objectives determining genetic distance of okra collections from different regions of Ethiopian and generated information about genetic diversity of Ethiopian okra collections to other country okra varieties.The field experiment was conducted at Werer Agricultural Research Center in 2014 using 23 local okra collections obtained from Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute and two exotic varieties obtained from Melkassa Agricultural Research Center using in simple lattice design with five incomplete blocks. Data were recorded from 25 quantitative and 10 qualitative traits. Principal component analysis showed eight principal components (PC1 to PC8) with eigen values ranged from 1.0 to 9.07 and with total contribution of 81.3% variation. Genetic distances were estimated using both quantative and qualitative traits. Genetic distance dissimilarity ranged from 3.89 to 18.24 with mean of 9.57. The two introduced varieties exhibited highest genetic distances than local collections. Exotic varieties were grouped in one cluster while the local collections were distributed in nine clusters. This study revealed the presence of genetic diversity among local okra collections and between local okra collections and introduced varieties that can be exploited for future breeding program. Since agro-morphology traits are highly influenced by environment, it is necessary to conduct agro-morphology traits along with a molecular study to determine the genetic diversity within Ethiopian okra collections and between other countries okra varieties.