Study of fruit borer infestation and incidence of yellow vein mosaic virus for fruit yield in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Abstract

line × tester design and one standard check hybrid (GJOH-4). They were evaluated in randomized block design with three replications at Instructional Farm, Krushigadh, Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, J.A.U., Junagadh during kharif 2024 for studies magnitude of heterotic effects of hybrids over better parent and standard check, combining ability and gene action. The analysis of experimental variance showed very significant differences between the genotypes, parents, and hybrids for all the traits. The heterobeltiosis for fruit yield per plant varied from-19. 91% (JOL-23-03 × GJO-3) to 25. 22% (JOL-23-16 × GAO-8). The standard heterosis ranged from-14. 51% (JOL-23-13 × GJO-3) to 22. 82% (JOL-23-16 × GAO-8). Using these crosses further could help in creating better okra hybrids. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed that mean squares due to lines, tester and line × tester was significant for all the traits, when tested against error mean square. This suggests that both the female and male parents contributed significantly to the total variation. The ratio of genetic and specific combining ability variances indicated that non-additive components were mostly responsible for the expression of all the traits studied, except for 30 DAS (yellow vein mosaic virus). Among the parents, two female parents, JOL-23-11 and JOL-23-16, and one male parent, Pusa Sawani, were found to be good general combiners for fruit yield per plant. The highest positive specific combining ability effect was seen in the cross JOL-23-01 × GJO-3 for fruit yield per plant, followed by JOL-23-11 × GJO-3, JOL-23-13 × GAO-8, JOL-23-08 × Pusa Sawani, and JOL-22-12 × GAO-8.