Genetics of fruit yield and its component characters in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench)

Abstract

A full diallel cross involving seven okra genotypes was used to study the inheritance of fruit yield and its componentcharacters in okra. Data from the F1 generation and parents were analyzed using Hayman (1954) method ofdiallel analysis.  The estimates of D were significant for all the traits studied.  The values of H1 and H2, as well asH2/4H1, indicated that there were unequal frequencies of the alleles at all the loci.  Anexcess of dominant alleleswas involved in five out of the eleven traits of interest.  The mean degree of dominance was more than unity forall the traits studied, including fruit yield per plant.  The narrow sense heritability estimates were higher for fourout of the 11 traits studied. In the presence of overdominance for yield, the best recurrent scheme to develophybrids will be reciprocal recurrent selection.