Study on combining ability in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) 

Abstract

The present study was undertaken with a view to estimate the extent of combining ability parameters of eight genotypes in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) for fruit yield, quality traits and other important traits. Combining ability analysis of 28 F₁s (excluding reciprocals) with parents showed that general combining ability variance was highly significant for all the characters. While specific combining ability variance was highly significant for all the characters except internode length, for the expression of Fruit yield (g) and its component traits. The parents Parbhani Kranti, Pusa Sawani and Panjab-7 were good general combiners for fruit yield and it's components traits. Twelve out of 28 hybrids showed significant positive sca effects for fruit yield and it's components traits. The crosses Arka Bahar × JOL-04-08, Gujarat Okra 2 × Parbhani Kranti and Panjab-7 × JOL-04-08 were found to be most promising cross combinations for their exploitation in breeding programme.