Combining Ability Analysis for Fruit Yield and Yield Attributing Traits in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Information on the magnitude of combining ability was obtained for fruit yield per plant and its related components following line x tester mating design involving 14 diverse varieties/strains (10 lines and 4 testers). The 14 parents and their 40 resultant F₁s were sown in a Randomized Block Design with three replications. Combining ability analysis revealed that the magnitude of non-additive variance was higher for fruit yield per plant and its contributing traits indicating predominant role of non-additive gene action in the inheritance of the traits. Among females, VIO 47672 (52.86) while, among males, GAO-5 (16.21) were good general combiners for fruit yield per plant and related traits. The hybrid, IC-045796 x GJO-3 (73.59) having high sca effects for fruit yield per plant also registered high and desirable sca effects for number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter and fruit weight.