Line x Tester analysis forcombining ability in okra (Abelmoschusesculentus (L.) Moench)

Combining ability effects were estimated for different characters of okra in a line x tester mating design comprises 6 lines and 4 testers and their 24 F₁ hybrids. Parents and F₁ crosses differed significantly for general combining ability and specific combining ability effects for all the characters respectively. Lines viz., VRO-3, VRO-4, VRO-5, VRO-6 and Parbhani Kranti and testers viz., Hisar Unnat, Arka Anamika, BS-14 and BS-12 were the best general combiners for plant height, number of branches/plant, days to 50% flowering, number of seeds/fruit, average fruit weight, number of fruits/plant and fruit yield whereas, the best specific crosses were VRO3 x BS-14, VRO-4 x Arka Anamika, VRO-5 x BS-12, Varsha Uphar x Hisar Unnat, Varsha Uphar x BS-14 and Parbhani Kranti x Hisar Unnat for plant height, number of branches/plant, node at which 1^st flower appear, internodal length, number of seeds/fruit, fruit length, number of fruits/plant and fruit yield. Lines VRO-3, VRO-4, VRO-5, VRO-6 and Parbhani Kranti and testers Hisar Unnat, Arka Anamika, BS-14 and BS-12 were the best combiners are expected to accumulate additive genes that can be exploited in development of open pollinated varieties and the cross VRO-3 x BS-14, VRO-4 x Arka Anamika, VRO-5 x BS-12, Varsha Uphar x Hisar Unnat, Varsha Uphar x BS-14 and Parbhani Kranti x Hisar Unnat showed highest specific combining ability for green fruit yield and its components and are potential source for screening of high yielding F₁ hybrid varieties.