Heterosis and combining ability of fruit yield and quality traits in intraspecific hybrids of okra

Estimation of combining ability and magnitude of heterosis in okra for fruit yield and quality traits was conducted at Experimental Farm of Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSKHPKV Palampur, Himachal Pradesh, by involving 8 parents and 28 cross-combinations obtained from half diallel mating design. The data on fruit yield and quality traits were recorded in the present study. Among visually observed characters, dark green, green and yellowish green fruit colour at immature stage, downy to slightly rough pubescence and five ridges per fruit in all parents and hybrids were recorded. Out of 28 F₁ hybrids, seven crosses viz., VRO-4 x HU (40.53%), Tulsi-I x SKBS-11 (33.23%), P-20 x Tulsi-I (32.75%), 9801 x SKBS-11 (22.70%), VRO-4 x PK (21.51%), P-8 x Tulsi-I (20.78%) and PK x SKBS-11 (20.75%) exhibited significantly positive heterosis for fruit yield in okra. The most promising crosses showing significant SCA effects and standard heterosis for fruit yield and quality traits were ‘VRO-4 x HU’, ‘Tulsi-I x SKBS-11’ and ‘P-20 x Tulsi-I’ and appear to be worthy for exploitation of segregation and varietal development.