Deployment of Heterosis Potential for Improvement of Okra Genotypes

To surmount productivity constraints in open-pollinated okra cultivars, hybridization-centred breeding strategies should be pursued. Heterosis breeding has proven the most ideal method for enhancing yield in okra. Numerous researchers have documented an existence of heterosis in substantial amounts for fruit yield and its related attributes. The high percentage of fruit set and ease of emasculation suggest the possibility of exploiting heterosis in okra.

A field investigation was conducted at teaching farm, extended campus of BCKV, Burdwan during rainy season, 2022 and spring-summer season, 2023. A randomised complete block design with 3 replications was used to assess the heterosis for various traits in 21 cross combinations produced through a 7×7 half-diallel mating design using 7 parents.

Based on mean performance, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis manifested in them, 2 crosses namely, Punjab 8 × Ajeet 121 and Hissar unnat × AKO 107 were found most promising for various parameters among 21 cross combinations and could be commercialized after critical evaluation. This study highlights the possibility for exploitation heterosis and isolating outstanding progenies from heterotic F₁ hybrids.