Combining ability analysis in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Abstract

Analysis of variance for combining ability studies in okra revealed that variances due to gca and sca were significant for all the growth, yield and yield attributing characters suggesting the importance of both types of variances in the inheritance of the traits. GCA and SCA also interacted significantly with the environments. The estimates of dominance variance were higher in magnitude than corresponding estimates of additive variance indicating the preponderance of non-additive gene action. None of the parents exhibited desirable gca effects for all the traits simultaneously. The overall ranking of genotypes revealed that the parents SKBS-11, Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti, Azad Ganga and Pant bhindi exhibited significant desirable gca effects for most of the traits. None of the crosses exhibited significant desirable sca effects for all the traits simultaneously. However, the crosses SKBS-11 x Azad Ganga; SKBS-11 x Parbhani Kranti; IC-117018 x Arka Anamika were found to be desirable for most of the traits.