Gene Action and Heterosis Studies in Bhendi (Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.) Moench) Through Line × Tester Analysis on Yield and Yield Component Traits

Abstract

A field experiment on line × tester mating method for analysis was conducted in 2021 at the Plant Breeding Farm, Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Annamalai University, Annamalainagar, Tamilnadu. The experiment involved the evaluation of eight lines, five testers, and their resulting 40 crosses of bhendi (okra) for the study of gene action and heterosis. The data was observed for eleven yield and yield contributing traits. The present study indicated the preponderance of non-additive gene action for days to 50 percent flowering, plant height at maturity, number of branches per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, internodal length, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, number of seeds per fruit, 100 seed weight and fruit yield per plant. Only dominant component of variance was observed which revealed the presence of non-additive gene action hence, heterosis breeding is required to be followed for exploitation of these traits. The investigation of heterosis may provide valuable insights for the selection of heterosis crosses suitable for the commercial cultivation of F1 hybrid okra. Based on the experiment results, the crosses IC 104 × Arka Anamika, IC 107 × Arka Anamika, IC 3052 × Arka Abhay, and IC 3025 × Arka Abhay displayed excellent performance in terms of heterosis. Therefore, these crosses are worthy of consideration for future breeding development programmed.