EVALUATION OF GENERAL AND SPECIFIC COMBINING ABILITY EFFECTS FOR YIELD AND ITS COMPONENT TRAITS IN OKRA (ABELMOSCHUS ESCULENTUS (L.) MOENCH)

Abstract

This study evaluated combining ability for yield and related traits in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Twenty-eight F₁ hybrids developed from an 8 × 8 half-diallel crossing system, along with their eight parents and one commercial check, were tested across three environments. Combining ability analysis showed that mean squares for general combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) were significant for most of the 11 traits evaluated. This showed that both additive and non-additive gene actions controlled these traits. Fruit yield per plant, number of fruits per plant, and fruit weight were mainly governed by non-additive gene action, which indicated good potential for hybrid breeding. Earliness and plant height displayed noticeable additive effects, which showed that simple parental selection would be effective for these characters. Parents AKOV-107, GJO-3, and Phule Utkarsha were identified as the best general combiners for yield and seed traits. Among the hybrids, Phule Utkarsha × GJO-3, Konkan Bhendi × GJO-3, and Phule Vimukta × GJO-3 showed high and stable SCA effects across environments for yield and its key components. Although the environments affected combining ability estimates, pooled analysis helped identify stable parents and high-performing hybrids with wide adaptation. The findings confirmed the need to use both additive and non-additive gene actions in okra breeding programs.