Epistatic Interactions in Yield Traits and Fruit and Shoot Borer Resistance ( Earias Vittella Fab.) In Okra (Abelmoschus spp.)

The gene effects for fruit yield, shoot and fruit borer resistance and its component traits in okra were studied in crosses viz., Sel2 x AC 5 and KL9 x Salkeerthy. The character means of six generations were subjected to scaling test. In the presence of epistasis, six parameter model was employed to detect the gene effects. The analysis revealed the presence of duplicate non allelic interactions for most of the traits studied. Complementary epistasis govern the inheritance of fruit borer resistance in the cross Sel 2 x AC 5. These traits can be improved through bi parental mating system or recurrent parent selection. Digenic non-allelic interaction model was found inadequate to explain shoot borer infestation and it may be due to involvement of more than two genes and their interactions. The F1 of the cross Sel 2 x AC 5 was identified as the best hybrid for both marketable fruit yield and resistance to fruit and shoot borer and it also showed field resistance to Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus.