HETEROSIS, COMBINING ABILITY AND GENE ACTION STUDIES IN OKRA [ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH]

Abstract

Heterosis and combining ability effects were estimated for yield and contributing traits in Line x Tester programme involving six lines (VRO-5, VRO-6, HRB-9-2, Pusa Sawani, Prabhani Kranti and HRB-55) and four testers (Arka Anamika, Arka Abhey, IIVR-11 and P-7). Among twenty four hybrids, the high sca were recorded in cross combinations namely Pusa Sawani x A. Anamika, HRB-9-2 x P-7, HRB-55 x A.Anamika, VRO-5 x A. Anamika, VRO-5 x IIVR-11 and VRO-5 x A. Abhey. Among parents, Parbhani Kranti, VRO-6, VRO-5 and IIVR-11 were found good general combiner. Hence, these parents may be used as one of the parent in okra hybrid programme. The gene action studies indicated that there was preponderance of nonadditive (dominance) gene action for all the traits under study.