Heterosis and Combining Abilities Studies in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Aim: Genetically complementary parents and amount of heritability of economic traits determines the successful development of breeding population, hybrids and varieties. The studies on heterosis and combining ability are useful in formulating effective breeding strategies and selection of suitable parents for crosses in breeding program.

Study Design: During the study period24 F1hybrids and their 10 parents were evaluated along with commercial check (‘Shakthi’) in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replication.

Place and Duration of the Study: The present study was conducted at Adhiparasakthi Agricultural College farm, Kalavai, Vellore district of Tamil Nadu state during summer 2014.

Methodology: The experimental material consist of 24 F1 hybrids developed from six lines (EC755648, EC755653, EC 755654, IC52303, IC755652 IC111515 ) and three tester (Arakka Anamika, Parbhani, Pusa Sawani VRO 22 ). These were evaluated along with commercial check (‘Shakthi’) in a randomized block design with three replication. The observation were recorded for 14 yield and yield contributing characters.

Results: The results inferred that the predominance of non-additive gene action was observed for all the traits. Among the parents, the overall study of gca effects suggested that parent EC 755648 and Parbhanikranti were significant general combiner for yield, these can be used to improve hybrids with desirable traits in future. Significant positive SCA effects were found for all the studied traits.

Conclusion: Among the hybrids, EC755653 x ArakkaAnamikaand IC111515 x ParbhaniKrantishowed desirable standard heterosis percentage over the check Shakthi along with good sca effects and per se performance for yield and other important yield contributing traits, thus it can be effectively be exploited in hybrid breeding programme.