Genetic analysis of biparental mating and selfing in segregating populations of Bhendi [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Three populations of the bhendi viz, BIP, SC , and DC population were developed in 2008 and these populations were evaluated in 2009 to study the extent of genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance for twelve characters in bhendi. Considerable variation was observed in BIP compared to SC F2 and DC F2 populations for most of the characters, which was confirmed by high mean and wider range of variation as evidenced by high PCV and GCV values for number of branches per plant, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight (g), fruit yield per plant (g). It is revealed that intermating in early segregating generations of different individuals lead to release of additional variability, since biparental mating among the segregates in the F2 of a cross may provide more opportunity for the recombination to occur, break the linkage blocks and mop up desirable genes.