Exploitation of heterosis and combining ability potential for improvement in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)

Abstract The experiment was conducted from 2021 to 2022 at Experimental Farm and Quality Analysis Laboratory, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dr Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India to estimate heterosis and combining ability in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.). Okra is an often cross-pollinated crop; therefore, exploiting heterosis is advantageous. The experimental material consisted of an F1 population of 30 crosses obtained from of 10 parental lines crossed with three testers in a Line × Tester mating design, plus a standard check (Punjab-8). Estimates of heterosis (heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis) of the cross combinations UHFO-6 × Pusa Bhindi-5, UHFO-6 × Arka Anamika and UHFO-9 × Arka Anamika were high for majority of the horticultural traits. Significant combining ability effects (GCA and SCA) were resulted from UHFO-6 and UHFO-9 among the parents and UHFO-2 × Pusa Bhindi-5, UHFO-10 × Hisar Unnat and UHFO-2 × Arka Anamika among cross combination. In future, after multi-location trials, these parents and crosses can be released to replace existing okra cultivars (hybrids/varieties).