Response of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) F5:6 population of for earliness and yield traits

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a widely cultivated vegetable crop all over the world. It is a rich source of protein. The genetic diversity of okra germplasm can play a significant role in developing its high yielding varieties. Selection of best parents for okra hybridization program and subsequent selection of transgressive segregants is an important strategy in this regard. That's why the current study was conducted to investigate genetic variation among the okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) genotypes for yield and yield -related traits. The experimental material comprised fifteen F5:6 (SO1- SO15) okra cross combinations along with their 6 parents (Punjab Selection, Pusaswami, Arka Anamika, Super Green, Green Star and Subz Pari). Results showed that among okra parental populations, Punjab Selection took minimum days to 50% flowering (51.7 days), marketable fruit length (15.1 cm), marketable fruit girth (1.31 cm) and internode length (4.37 cm) while exhibited maximum, pods plant -1 (22.9 pods), physiological mature pod length (16.8 cm), physiological mature pod girth (2.18 cm) and pod yield (6.18 kg), respectively. Maximum internodes plant -1 (22.9 internodes) were observed for okra parental genotype Sabz Pari. Okra genotype SO8 and SO15 gave maximum pods plant -1 (27.6 pods) internodes plant -1 (19.5) and pod yield (7.10 kg), respectively. Based on excellent results okra parental genotypes, Punjab Selection and Sabz Pari along with F5:6 segregating populations SO8, SO12 and SO15 are recommended for future okra crossing programs.