Fifty one okra F1 hybrids (using 17 lines as female and 3 testers as male parent) were evaluated in RCBD design during two different consecutive seasons (summer and rainy). Phenotypic coefficient of variability (PCV) was
higher than genotypic coefficient of variability (GCV) for all studied character exhibiting environmental effects on the expression of characters. Heritability (h2b) along with genetic advance per cent of mean was found highest for character YVMV
(86.95% and 150.61%). All the 51 okra hybrids were grouped into 4 distinct clusters in which Cluster II was the largest cluster having 28 F1s (54.90% of total F1s) followed by Cluster I with 14 F1s (27.45% of total F1s). Out of the major 6 PCs, 4
principal components (PC1, PC2, PC3 and PC4) accounted with proportionate values of 22.61, 17.22, 11.87 and 10.63%, respectively and contributed 62.33 % of the cumulative variation having Eigen value more than one. Moreover, based on PCs and genetic
divergence in Cluster I and Cluster IV for plant height, YVMV and number of fruit per plant is important to identify the best cross combination (Arka Abhay × Arka Anamika) in okra. Therefore, the best cross combinations for improvement in various
economic traits can be recommended on the basis of genetic divergence and principal component analysis in okra.
