General and specific combining ability effects and variances for fruit yield and its contributing traits in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

The Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) cultivars were sown at Horticulture Nursery in university campus, SKRAU, Bikaner during Kharif 2014. All the recommended general package of practices was followed for raising the good crop. Nine parents (6 lines and 3 testers) and their 18 F1S were grown in a randomized block design (RBD) with three replications. One check variety, Komal 10 was also used as standard check. Crosses among the nine genotypes were made in line x tester mating design at Horticulture Nursery in university campus, SKRAU, Bikaner during Zaid 2014. The estimates of SCA variance were high than GCA variance for all characters except number of fruits per plant. The proportion of variance due to σ²GCA/σ²SCA was found to be less than unity for all the characters except number of fruits per plant showing thereby preponderance of non-additive effects. The line Kashi Kranti was identified as the best general combiner for most of the characters viz., days to 50% flowering, days to maturity, plant height, number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, fruit length and fruit weight. Another line Kashi Pragati also emerged as good combiner for six characters viz., plant height, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit weight, biological yield and fruit yield per plant. The testers which emerged as good general combiner for yield and its contri­buting metric characters was Arka Anamika. The cross No. 315 x Hisar Unnat was identified as best specific combiner for most of the characters viz., plant height, number of branches per plant, fruit length, fruit weight, biological yield and fruit yield per plant.