PHENOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE AND YIELD COMPONENT ASSOCIATIONS OF EIGHT OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L. MOENCH) ACCESSIONS AS BASIS FOR PARENTAL LINE SELECTION

Yields of Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. (okra) in Nigeria remain low due to limited exploitation of genetic diversity and incomplete understanding of trait associations. This study evaluated phenological traits and yield component relationships of eight okra accessions (F1 Kirikou, NHOKRA 47-4, NHOKO 614, NHOKO 188, NHOKO 597, NHOKO 595, NHOKO 150, and NHOKO 195) to identify high-performing parental lines. The experiment was conducted in December 2024 and March 2025 (okra lean season), in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, using a Completely Randomized Design with six replications. Data collected were days to flower bud initiation, flowering, fruiting, flowering duration, fruit length, diameter, weight, fruit shape index, number of fruits per plant, seed number, and total yield. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance and Least Significant Difference at 5%. Significant differences were observed for phenological traits, fruit length, fruit shape index, total number of fruits and yield, while other yield components were not significant. NHOKRA 47-4 exhibited early and synchronized flowering, extended flowering duration, longer fruits, higher fruit number, and the highest yield (3.7 t/ha). Correlation analysis revealed a significant positive relationship with fruit length (r=0.76*) and yield, and a highly significant positive relationship between flowering duration and yield (r = 0.86**). Path Coefficient analysis showed that fruit length had the highest positive direct effect on yield. The results demonstrate substantial genetic variability, with fruit length, flowering duration, and fruit shape index being effective indirect selection traits. NHOKRA 47-4 is recommended for breeding an early-maturing, high-yielding okra variety; NHOKO 150 and NHOKO 188 for seed production.