Combining ability through diallel analysis in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) moench)

Combining ability analysis was carried out for fruit yield and its components in okra in a 12 x 12 diallel cross (excluding reciprocals). Both general a combining ability (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) variances were highly significant for all the characters indicating the importance of both additive and non additive gene actions. However, preponderance of additive gene action was recorded for the traits viz., primary branches per plant, ridges/fruit and fruit diameter, preponderance of non additive gene action was recorded for plant height, nodes on main stem, days to first flowering, number of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit weight and fruit yield per plant. The parents Sat-dhari, Ratna - 78, VRO 5 and Varsha Uphar were found to be the best general combiners and close correspondence between per se performance of parents and their gca effects were observed. The cross combinations viz., Sat-dhari x Ratna–78, VRO 5 x Sagun, Ratna-78 x Punjab 8, Ankur–40 x Pankaj Dwarf, Sat-dhari x Varsha Uphar, Arka Anamika x Punjab-5 showed significant sca effects in desirable direction for fruit yield per plant and associated characters and were expected to produce transgressive segregants. Exploitation of hybrid vigour from these crosses through heterosis breeding method is advocated.