Exploitation of hybrid vigour in okra [Abelmoschus Esculentus (L.)Moench]

Twenty eight crosses from 8 x 8 half diallel were studied to assess magnitude of heterosis over better parent and standard check for fruit yield and its component traits in okra. The commercial hybrid Mahyco-10 was used as standard check. An appreciable amount of heterosis was observed for almost all the characters. Significance of mean squares due to genotypes revealed the presence of considerable genetic variability for almost all yield and yield attributes. The heterobeltiosis ranged from-20.18 to 7.04 and useful heterosis ranged from-14.74 to 11.16% for green fruit yield per plant. Four crosses Phule Utkarsha x Arka Abhay, Hisar Navin x Arka Abhay, Hisar Navin x HRB-142, HRB 142 x Arka Abhay, and Pusa Sawani xHisar Navin recorded high positive heterosis and high per se performance for green fruit yield per plant. These crosses can be commercially exploited.