Heterosis Studies in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) for yield and its yield attributing traits

Introduction

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is an important vegetable with high nutrional value belonging to malvaceae family having chromosome number 2n=130 and is widely cultivated in India. It has significant export potential. It is considered as an essential vegetable in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa and Asia. It is commonly consumed for its tender fruits. The tender fruits of bhendi (okra) are nutritious, serves as a source of vitamins, minerals and calcium (70-90 mg/100 g) in the diet. The mucilage of Okra is beneficial as a blood volume expander and can aid in curing kidney diseases and enhancing kidney function (Siemonsma and Koume, 2004) [14] . To meet the growing demand of nutrient rich vegetables and address the threats posed by climate changes, enhancement of nutrient quality of okra is crucial for vegetable breeding programme (Himanshi et al. 2026) [6] . The genetic architecture and the extent of heterosis play a crucial role in guiding plant breeders toward yield enhancement. The evaluation of newly developed hybrids for parental effectiveness relies heavily on heterosis studies, as they enable the identification of superior parental combinations by exhibiting maximum hybrid vigor. Selecting optimal parental lines is vital for breeders aiming to elevate the genetic yield potential of wheat varieties. The magnitude of heterosis is instrumental in identifying elite cross combinations capable of producing desirable segregants in subsequent generations (Dedaniya et al. 2019) [3] . Hybrids, owing to its stability, responsiveness to farm inputs, and superior abiotic stress tolerance, has demonstrated a 13.5% yield advantage over its parental lines (Farooq et al. 2014) [5] . Although the per se performance of parental lines has traditionally been a criterion for parental selection in hybridization programs, it does not always provide an accurate reflection of their genetic combining ability (Allard, 1960) [1] . Therefore, selecting a genetically superior subset of parents aligned with specific breeding objectives is essential, as managing an excessive number of crosses from an extensive

Results and Discussion

Heterosis breeding in crops holds a dual advantage yield enhancement through hybrids and longterm genetic gain through the isolation of superior inbred lines making it an indispensable tool in modern crop improvement programs (Thribhuvan et al. 2023) [17] . The present investigation is in close agreement with the findings of earlier Sidapara et al. (2021) [13] ; Chandni et al. (2023) [2] and Dhakne et al. (2026) [4] , thereby reinforcing the significance of heterosis breeding for yield improvement in okra. Plant height. The relative heterosis ranged from -13.10 per cent (Pusa Makhmali × Arka Anamika) to 22.78 per cent (Kashi Satdhari × Pusa Sawani). Among the 36 F 1 's, crosses Kashi Satdhari × Pusa Sawani (22.78%), Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (18.56%) and Kashi Vibuti × Pusa Sawani (15.10%) expressed the highest significant positive relative heterosis. Heterobeltiosis ranged from -17.29 per cent (Pusa Makhmali × Arka Anamika) to 21.95 per cent (Kashi Satdhari × Pusa Sawani). A considerable number of crosses (Kashi Satdhari × Pusa Sawani; 21.95%, Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani; 17.21% and Kashi Vibuti × Pusa Sawani ;14.26%) exhibited positive heterobeltiosis, suggesting the superiority of hybrids. Standard heterosis over check 1 (Kashi Bhairav) ranged from -22.00 per cent (Pusa Makhmali × Arka Anamika) to 0.76 per cent (Kashi Satdhari × Pusa Sawani), whereas standard heterosis over check 2 (Kashi Shrishti) ranged from -20.21 per cent (Pusa Makhmali × Arka Anamika) to 3.07 per cent (Kashi Satdhari × Pusa Sawani), expressing positive standard heterosis over both the checks with values of 0.76 per cent and 3.07 per cent, respectively as increased plant height at maturity is generally associated with greater vegetative vigour and better yield potential. Similar results about positive heterosis on plant height was also reported by Sweta et al., 2022 and Dhakne et al., 2026 [4] . Days to first flowering. Negative heterosis is considered desirable for this trait as it contributes towards earliness, enabling early fruit set and harvesting. The relative heterosis ranged from -7.16 per cent (Parbhani Kranti × Arka Anamika) to 50.35 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4). The crosses, Parbhani Kranti × Arka Anamika (-7.16%), Kashi Lalima × Pusa Sawani (-6.73%) and Utkal Gaurav × Arka Anamika (-4.54%) expressed the highest negative relative heterosis. Heterobeltiosis ranged from -8.76 per cent (Parbhani Kranti × Arka Anamika) to 46.83 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4). Parbhani Kranti × Arka Anamika (-8.76%), Kashi Lalima × Pusa Sawani (-7.54%) and Kashi Chaman × Arka Anamika (-6.51%) exhibited the highest negative heterobeltiosis. Standard heterosis over check 1 (Kashi Bhairav) ranged from -10.16 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa Sawani) to 41.86 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4), whereas standard heterosis over check 2 (Kashi Shrishti) ranged from -0.00 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa Sawani) to 57.90 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4). The hybrids, Kashi Lalima × Pusa Sawani recorded the highest negative standard heterosis over both the checks with values of -10.16 per cent and -0.00 per cent, followed by Parbhani Kranti × Arka Anamika (-9.78% and 0.42%) and Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (-7.92% and 2.50%). Similar findings with negative heterosis being good for earliness were also reported by Maruthi et al., 2026 [10] and Suma et al., 2025 [15] . Days to first pod picking. The relative heterosis varied from -17.64 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani) to 24.63 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4). Among the crosses Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani (-17.64%), Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (-12.88%) and Kashi Vibuti × Pusa Sawani (-12.31%) expressed the highest significant negative relative heterosis. Heterobeltiosis ranged from -20.00 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani) to 22.76 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4). Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani (-20.00%), Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (-13.93%) and Kashi Satdhari × Pusa Sawani (-13.40%) exhibited the highest significant negative heterobeltiosis. Standard heterosis over check 1 (Kashi Bhairav) ranged from -24.32 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani) to 10.82 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4), whereas standard heterosis over check 2 (Kashi Shrishti) ranged from -16.17 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani) to 22.76 per cent (Kashi Vardhan × Pusa A-4). Among the hybrids, Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani recorded the highest significant negative standard heterosis over both the checks with values of -24.32 per cent and -16.17 per cent, followed by Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (-23.24% and -14.97%) and Kashi Vibuti × Pusa Sawani (-21.08% and -12.57%) for negative heterosis is considered desirable for this trait as it promotes earliness in pod development and harvesting. These results about negative heterosis enhancing earliness are in accordance with Thirupathi et al., 2012 [16] and Kumar et al., 2023 [9] . Number of pods per plant. The relative heterosis ranged from -29.83 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 10.68 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani). Heterobeltiosis ranged from -30.21 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 3.93 per cent (Utkal Gaurav × Pusa Sawani). Standard heterosis over check 1 (Kashi Bhairav) ranged from -21.23 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 22.05 per cent (Utkal Gaurav × Pusa Sawani), whereas standard heterosis over check 2 (Kashi Shrishti) ranged from -18.06 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 26.97 per cent (Utkal Gaurav × Pusa Sawani). Heterosis for number of pods per plant was also reported by Kavya et al., 2019 [7] . Pod weight. The relative heterosis ranged from -9.90 per cent (Kashi Pragati × Arka Anamika) to 35.24 per cent (Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani). Heterobeltiosis ranged from -10.70 per cent (Kashi Pragati × Arka Anamika) to 29.97 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani). Standard heterosis over check 1 (Kashi Bhairav) ranged from -28.19 per cent (Kashi Pragati × Arka Anamika) to 8.24 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani), whereas standard heterosis over check 2 (Kashi Shrishti) ranged from -19.67 per cent (Kashi Pragati × Arka Anamika) to 21.10 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani). As an important yield contributing trait, heterosis for pod weight was also reported by Shinde et al., 2023 [11] . Pod yield per plant. Based on relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis, the most promising hybrids were identified for pod yield per plant in the present investigation. The relative heterosis ranged from -31.18 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 49.02 per cent (Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani). The crosses Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (49.02%), Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani (46.79%) and Kashi Vardhan × Arka Anamika (7.69%) expressed the highest significant positive relative heterosis. Heterobeltiosis ranged from -33.33 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 30.11 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani). Among the hybrids, Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani (30.11%), Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (29.55%) and Kashi Vardhan × Arka Anamika (6.43%) recorded the highest significant positive heterobeltiosis, demonstrating superiority over the better parent and indicating its potential for exploitation in hybrid breeding programmes. Standard heterosis over check 1 (Kashi Bhairav) ranged from -28.89 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 27.22 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani), whereas standard heterosis over check 2 (Kashi Shrishti) ranged from -17.42 per cent (Kashi Lalima × Pusa A-4) to 47.74 per cent (Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani). Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani exhibited the highest positive standard heterosis over both the checks with values of 27.22 per cent and 47.74 per cent, closely followed by Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani (26.67% and 47.10%) and Kashi Lalima × Pusa Sawani (3.89% and 20.65%). Being the most significant trait, heterosis for pod yield was also reported by Venkatesan et al., 2025. The repeated occurrence of Pusa Sawani as one of the parents in several superior hybrids indicated its importance as a good combiner for yield and yield contributing traits in okra. The promising hybrids identified may therefore be effectively utilized in heterosis breeding programmes and for the development of high yielding okra hybrid.

Conclusion

The heterosis study revealed significant positive heterosis for pod yield per plant among several hybrids. Based on relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and standard heterosis, several promising hybrids were identified for pod yield per plant in the present investigation. The hybrids Kashi Kranti × Pusa Sawani and Parbhani Kranti × Pusa Sawani exhibited high relative heterosis, heterobeltiosis and economic heterosis over both checks for pod yield and associated traits. These hybrids also showed superiority for important yield contributing characters such as pod length, pod weight and number of pods per plant. The repeated occurrence of Pusa Sawani in superior cross combinations indicated its importance as a good combiner for yield and related traits. Therefore, these promising parents and hybrids may be effectively utilized in future okra improvement and heterosis breeding programmes for the development of high yielding hybrids and varieties.

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