Evaluation for heterosis in okra (Abelmoschusesculentus L. Moench)

Abstract

Abstract The present investigation was conducted in okra to study the magnitude of heterosis and to identify potential parents and superior cross combinations for twelve plant traits including fruit yield and its component traits. Forty five F1s were developed by crossing 10 elite lines of okra in half diallel fashion during summer 2016. All 45 F1s along with their 10 parents and one standard check (Nunhems hybrid Shakti) were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with three replications during late kharif (July to October) 2016 at ICAR- KrishiVigyan Kendra, Babbur Farm, Hiriyur, Chitradurga, Karnataka. The results revealed wide range of heterotic pattern for different traits. For first fruit producing node, heterosis over standard control ranged from -9.03 to 43.32, respectively. For days to 50% flowering, heterosis over standard control ranged from -8.70 to 0.72, respectively and for total yield per plant, heterosis over standard control ranged from -0.13 to 168.55,respectively.The overall maximum positive significant heterosis for total yield per plant was observed in cross IIHR 875 x IIHR-478 (168.55%) over standard heterosis. Negatively heterotic crosses like IIHR-562 x IIHR-444 for days to 50% flowering (-8.70%) and IIHR-567 x IIHR-107 for fruiting nodes (-9.03%) respectively, are important to exploit heterosis for earliness in okra. Out of 45 F1s, 44 F1s crosses exhibit significant standard heterosis in any given direction for total yield per plant except cross IIHR-604 x IIHR-107 (-0.13%). The F1 hybrid IIHR-875 x IIHR-478 with high yield potential has the potential for commercial cultivation after further evaluation for late kharif season of Karnataka.