Combining ability analysis in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

An experiment on okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] was conducted with 20 genotypes in 17 line x 3 testers fashion during 2012- 2013 to procure 51 F(1)s and 51 F(2)s in RBD with three replications at HRC, Department of Horticulture, SVPUA&T, Meerut, to study the combining ability of various agronomic and economically important traits for genetic improvement and their effect in the population. Among the parents under study IC 218872 for plant height, VRO 5 for days to flowering, plant height, length of internode and yield/plant showed higher gca effect, whereas crosses IC 306053 x Parbhani Kranti (PK), C 7801 x Parbhani Kranti (PK), Azad Bhindi 2 x Parbhani Kranti (PK), BO 2 x Azad Krishna, FB 10 x Parbhani Kranti (PK) and VRO 1668 x Azad Krishna were showed significant positive effect for more than one character indicating their utility in further breeding programme. The best parents and their crosses are utilized in breeding programme for the improvement of yield components.