Combining Ability and Heterosis for Yield and its Contributing Characters in Okra (Abelmoschus esculantus (L.) Moench)

Abstract

Estimation of combining ability by line x tester analysis and magnitude of heterosis was conducted at Vegetable Research Farm, BHU, Varanasi, in a set of 8 parents (five lines and three testers) received from IIVR Varanasi by making 15 cross combinations evaluated during summer and kharif 2009 in RBD with three replications. The data on nine characters viz. plant height, number of primary branches, days to first flowering, total number of fruit plant -1, fruit length, fruit girth, fresh fruit weight, internodal length and yield plant -1 were utilized for the present study. On the basis of GCA effects across nine characters, Arka Abhay, VRO-6, Hissar Unnat and Punjab Padmini were identified as most promising parents for improving number of fruits plant -1, fruit girth and days to 50% flowering. The most promising crosses showing significantly positive SCA effects and standard heterosis for fruit yield were Arka Abhay x Parbhani Kranti, Hissar Unnat x Punjab Padmini, VRO-6 x Parbhani Kranti and VRO-6 x Arka Anamika. These crosses should be exploited for further advancement in breeding programme for HYVs and early maturity, simultaneously.