Abstract

Selection of suitable breeding methodologies in bringing desirable improvement in crop plant require the complete knowledge about the nature of gene action involved in the inheritance of quantitative and quality traits. Gene action of fruit yield and quality traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) were studied through half diallel analysis of 28 F₁ hybrids derived by crossing 8 parental lines. The present study indicated the preponderance of non-additive gene action for days to 50% flowering, nodes per plant, fruit length, fruit diameter, plant height, fruits per plant and mucilage and a preponderance of additive gene action for days to first picking, first fruit producing node, internodal length, average fruit weight and harvest duration. For fruit yield per plant and dry matter, only dominant component of variance was observed which revealed the presence of non-additive gene action, hence, heterosis breeding is required to be followed for exploitation of these traits.

Key words: Gene action, okra, variance, diallel, fruit yield.