Studies on emasculation and pollination time in hybrid seed production of okra (Abelmoschus esculantus L. Moench).

Field experiments were conducted during November 2012 to March 2013 at K. R. C. College of Horticulture, Arabhavi of Belgaum district (Northern Dry Zone-3) to ascertain the peak period of stigma receptivity of seed parent (Arka Anamika) and time of pollination in hybrid seed production of okra hybrid. The pooled data indicated that the pollination at 9.00 am to 12.00 noon on same day after emasculation with temperature of 22–23.24° C, 70% RH exhibited higher fruit set (63.48%), number of hybrid seeds per fruit (52.27), 100 seed weight (0.57g), total hybrid seed weight per plant (36.37 g) and seed quality parameters such as germination (92.67%), seedling shoot length (12.95 cm), seedling root length (8.02 cm), seedling dry weight (0.313 g) and seedling vigour index (1943) as compared to either earlier or later day of emasculation and pollination.