Combining ability studies for fruit yield and horticultural traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Line x tester analysis was conducted to estimate combining ability involving 12 lines and two testers. Their 24 cross-combinations were evaluated in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSKHPKV, Palampur (H.P.) during summer-rainy season, 2018. Non-additive gene action was observed for first fruit producing node, ridges per fruit, mucilage and fruit yield per plant. On the basis of GCA effects, Parbhani Kranti was found to be a good general combiner for days to first picking, first fruit producing node, fruit length, average fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. VRO-4 and IC-169468 were good general combiners for earliness and fruit yield per plant. The most promising hybrids showing significantly positive sca effects for fruit yield were Parbhani Kranti x Hisar Unnat, P-8 x Hisar Unnat and VRO-4 x Hisar Unnat which could be utilized in further breeding programme.