Studies on Heterosis in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

In the present investigation, a study was undertaken at the Department of Agricultural Botany, Annamalai University during the year 2006–2008 to identify potential parents and superior cross combinations for yield improvement in Okra. Six bhendi genotypes viz., Girija Vikas, MDU 1, Hissar Unnath, Arka Abhay and EC 305623 were crossed in full diallel fashion (including the reciprocals). The eight characters observed included days to 50 per cent flowering, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, individual fruit weight, fruit yield per plant. The results revealed that the standard heterosis for fruit yield per plant was maximum in the hybrid MDU 1 x Hissar Unnath, with a value of 65.23 per cent. This hybrid recorded high standard heterosis for all the characters except number of branches per plant and individual fruit weight.