Heterosis studies in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench]

The present investigation was conducted to magnitude of heterosis in Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] for identifying desirable cross combinations. The experiment comprising 36 hybrids obtained by crossing 15 parents (12 lines and 3 tasters) for line x tester analysis. All the hybrids and their parents were sown in a randomized block design with three replications at department of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural Science, Bundelkhand University, and Jhansi (U.P.). The parents and hybrids were sown in single row and 5 plants selected randomly for recording observation for all the characters. Heterosis analysis of variances was highly significant for all the characters under study. The study revealed that cross combination KS-423 x P.K, KS-453 x P.K., KS-439 x P.K., KS-427x KS 410, KS 453 X KS 410, BO-2 X KS 404 and KS 439 X KS 404 were significant increase over mid parent the cross combinations for yield and its contributing characters. Therefore, these hybrids may be advanced and exploited in future breeding programmes for improving yield and its components in okra.