Exploitation of hybrid vigour for fruit yield and its components in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Abstract

The present investigation on “Exploitation of hybrid vigour for fruit yield and its components in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]” was conducted at the Vegetable Research Station, Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh during summer 2018. The experimental material comprised of 16 parents (12 lines and 4 testers) to develop 48 hybrids using line x tester mating design. The final evaluation trial was conducted with 16 patents, their 48 F1 hybrids along with one commercial check (GJOH-4) in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. On considering the performance of hybrids in respect of fruit yield per plant, 4 and 3 hybrids exhibited significant and positive heterosis over better parent and standard check, respectively. Significant and positive estimates of heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis for fruit yield per plant were exhibited by the crosses IC-282248 x GAO-5 (33.77%, 24.67%), IC-282248 x Pusa Sawani (22.84%, 14.30%) and IC-31398 x GO-2 (17.30%, 13.14%), respectively and could be utilized for commercial exploitation of heterosis after large scale multilocation testing. The heterosis for fruit yield per plant was also associated with the heterosis expressed by its component characters.