Evaluation of different hybrids of okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] under Prayagraj agro-climatic conditions

Introduction

The only commercially important vegetable crop in the Malvaceae family, okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is very well-liked in the Indo-Pak peninsula. In terms of consumption, it is the most popular in India. Okra is thought to have originated in northeastern Africa, specifically in Ethiopia and Sudan, despite being widely grown throughout Asia. Being one of the first crops to be cultivated, it is currently planted all over the world, from Africa to Asia, southern Europe, and the Americas. It is grown commercially in nations like India, Turkey, Iran, Western Africa, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Japan, Malaysia, Brazil, Ghana, Ethiopia, Cyprus, and the southern United States. It thrives in tropical and subtropical temperatures. India produces the most okra in the world, with over 3.5 million tonnes, or 70% of the total, grown on an area of roughly 0.35 million hectares (Chaudhary & Bahadur 2024) [5] . Okra is a study, upright, herbaceous annual plant that grows to a height of one to two meters. The leaves of the plant are usually lobed and hairy, with alternating palmate veins. Narrow stipules support the cordate leaves, which can grow up to 12 inches in length. The stem is semi-woody, branched differently, and occasionally has green or reddish tinges. Some types can reach heights of 7 to 8 feet. The plant is supported by a deep taproot system, which increases its adaptability to different soil types. Large (4-8 cm in diameter), solitary, axillary flowers are carried on peduncles that are 2.0-2.5 cm long. Five white to yellow petals, frequently accompanied by a crimson or purple patch at the base, make up each flower. Depending mostly on climatic and stress circumstances, flowering usually starts 1-2 months after seeding and lasts the entire growing season. The flowers are self-compatible and hermaphrodite. It takes roughly 22-26 days from initiation to bloom, with a flower bud typically beginning above the sixth or eighth node in the axil of each leaf. A staminal column with more than 100 anthers encircles the style in the floral structure. Elongation of the staminal column or insect activity are the two ways that pollination happens (Singh et al. 2024) [11] . The fruit is a long, conical to cylindrical capsule with five ovule-filled chambers that forms in the leaf axils. Typically, cultivated species have ribbed, spineless pods that are 10-30 cm long and 1-4 cm wide. The fruit, which might be green, yellowish-green, whitish-green, or purple, is picked when it is still soft and young. Fruit weight, diameter, and length all noticeably rise between the fourth-and sixth-days following pollination. After fruit sets, fiber development usually starts on the fifth or sixth day and increases quickly starting on the ninth day. There are many round, smooth, striated seeds that are dark green to dark brown in colour. While 2n = 72, 108, 120, 132, and 144 indicate the presence of a normal polyploid series with a base number of n = 12, 2n = 130 is the most frequently found somatic chromosomal number in okra. The Abelmoschus genus' taxonomic classification is still unclear, and additional cytogenetic studies especially on Asian materials may reveal amphidiploidy (Bhaty & Bahadur 2024) [4] . [10,18] reported similar findings, emphasizing the genetic influence on okra internode development. At 22.69 days after sowing, H5 (Kashi Pragati) had the earliest flowering, followed by H4 (Rukmani-711) at 24.65 days.

Materials and Methods

On the other hand, H1 (Deepika) showed delayed flowering (31.55 days), while H8 (Nandini) showed the latest flowering (44.76 days). Genetic variety and the hybrids' varying reactions to the local agroclimatic conditions may be the cause of the difference in flowering times. Findings from Sharma et al.

(2019), Meena and Yadav (2021), and Patel et al. (2023) [10,18] , who also documented notable genotypic heterogeneity in flowering behaviour among okra cultivars. [9] , Meena and Yadav (2021), and Patel et al. (2023) [10,18] all found similar results, emphasizing the part that genotypic diversity plays in okra pod features. H8 (Nandini) likewise had the greatest total soluble solids (TSS) content (3.99 °Brix), followed by H9 (Samrat) (3.92 °Brix), while H5 (Kashi Pragati) had the lowest TSS (3.52 °Brix). The hybrids' differences in TSS can be attributed to both genetic and environmental factors, especially agroclimatic effects. The findings of Hussaini and Babu (2021) and Patel et al. (2023), who also noted notable diversity in fruit quality parameters, particularly TSS, among various okra hybrids, are consistent with these findings.

With a net return of Rs 3,95,700/ha and the highest benefitcost ratio of 3.15, hybrid H8 (Nandini) produced the highest gross return, at Rs 5,20,500/ha with a net return of Rs 2,47,500/ha and the lowest benefit-cost ratio of 1.95, hybrid H5 (Check-Kashi Pragati) had the lowest gross return, at Rs 3,85,200/ha. These revised results are consistent with recent research by Kumar and Singh (2023) [9] and Sharma et al. (2022), which highlights the financial benefits of high-yielding okra hybrids grown using better agronomic techniques.

Conclusion

When nine okra hybrids were compared in Prayagraj's agroclimatic conditions, Hybrid H8 (Nandini) continuously outperformed the others in every parameter that was measured.

In terms of important plant growth characteristics, such as plant height, number of leaves, branches, internode length, and nodes to first blooming, it showed the highest values. The highest fruit length, diameter, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, and total yield per plant, plot, and hectare were all recorded by H8 (Nandini), which also had exceptional reproductive qualities. At 3.99˚Brix, it also had the greatest total soluble solids (TSS) concentration, a sign of improved fruit quality.

References

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