Fruit picking time and fruit characteristics of the F2 population of local okra [Abelmoschus esculentus [L.] Moench] crosses with introduced variety

Abstract

Okra attains its best fruit quality when the pods are still tender. The previous research reported that the crosses of the local okra, i.e. okra Merah and okra Hijau with introduced variety VE022 and B291 success to obtain plants with extended picking time. This research aimed to evaluate the fruit picking time and fruit characteristics of the F2 population and obtain the F2 genotypes that have a more extended fruit picking time. The research was conducted at the Research Station of the Faculty of Agriculture, Andalas University. The materials used are seeds collected from selfed-pollination of ten crosses [F2 populations] and okra Merah and okra Hijau cultivar as a control. Data collected based on an individual observation, and then the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and unpaired t-test at a 5% significance level. Results showed that a particular plant from the F2 population has a more extended picking time of up to nine days after anthesis, indicating improved fruit quality characters, i.e. fruit length, fruit diameter, and fruit weight. Plants obtained with a longer fruit picking time of nine and eight days after anthesis are 14.4% and 67.0%, respectively. Selected plants, i.e. FOHVE022-8-13, SOMVE022-10-1, and FOHVE022-8-13 that consistently reveal a high number of fruits per plant, larger fruit size, and heavier fruit weight, need to be self-pollinated and evaluated in further research before releasing as a variety.