Genetic and phenotypic diversity among local okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) landraces using AFLP markers

Genetic and phenotypic variability among 21 okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) landraces were explored. Thirteen horticultural traits were studied including fruit, stem and petiole color, spine existence, fruit length, fruit diameter, number of ridges per fruit, seeds number per fruit, days to 50% flowering, plant height, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight and number of fruits per plant. Except for fruit diameter, plant height and number of fruits per plant, a significant variability among landraces was found. Genetic variability and relationships among the 21 landraces were established using twelve AFLP primer combinations. Six hundred bands with 162 polymorphic bands were sufficient to estimate genetic variation among okra landraces. The unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average classified landraces into three groups was based on Dice similarity coefficient, which ranged from a high of 0.99 to a low of 0.50. Clustering based on phenotypical traits showed seven smaller groups that were consistent with the three larger AFLP -based groups. These diverse landraces can be used for future okra breeding programs and derivation of new lines.