Genetic assessment and potence ratio of various traits of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh

Abstract

The selection of appropriate breeding strategies for achieving desired improvements in plant breeding necessitates a thorough understanding of the mechanism of gene expression implicated in the transmission of quantitative and biochemical characteristics. Line × tester study of 30 F₁ hybrids obtained by crossing 13 parental lines was carried out to assess gene action and potence ratio of such traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) during rainy (kharif) seasons of 2021 and 2022 at research farm of Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, Himachal Pradesh. Out of 22 traits, 20 indicated the preponderance of non-additive gene action and additive gene action for plant height and inter-nodal length. UHFO-6 and UHFO-9 were the best general combiners, whereas, UHFO-2 × Pusa Bhindi-5 and UHFO-10 × Hisar Unnat were the best specific combiners. For 20 traits, proportional contribution of lines was higher than the testers for total variance. Potence ratio indicated that majority of the traits in the hybrids had over dominance gene effect. Over dominance was expressed for pod length, pod diameter, number of pods per plant, average pod weight, and pod yield per plant, etc. To maximize the entire genetic potential of hybrids and parents with excellent per se performance, okra crop development initiatives must include heterosis, combining ability, proportionate contribution of genotypes and potence ratio.