Morphological Characterization and Agronomic Evaluation of Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus Resistant Single Cross Hybrids for Yield and Quality Traits in Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench)

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) is a traditional pod vegetable widely grown in low, medium and high-input systems for domestic and export markets. The economic and ecological sustainability of okra in these systems is under question because of the low-yielding potential, sub-optimal pod quality and susceptibility to biotic and biotic stresses especially the yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) of the traditionally cultivated open-pollinated varieties (OPVs) and landraces. Development and use of improved varieties with high yield potential, superior pod quality and resistance to YVMV play an important role in bringing sustainability of okra in these systems. Fifteen single cross hybrids developed by crossing six newly developed inbred lines (RNOYR-14, RNOYR-15, RNOYR-16, RNOYR-17, RNOYR-18 and RNOYR-24), in half-diallel fashion during rainy season 2012, were evaluated along with three local hybrid checks [No. 64 (Mahyco), Avantika (228) (Bioseed) and Shakti (Nunhems)], one OPV check (Arka Anamika) and one OPV cross check for YVMV susceptibility (Pusa Sawani) in a randomized complete block design with three replications during summer 2013 at the Vegetable Research Station, Hyderabad for studying their yield potential, pod quality and resistance to YVMV. All of the 15 single cross hybrids were resistant to YVMV with 0% incidence as against 100% incidence in OPV checks Arka Anamika and Pusa Sawani. On the basis of mean performance, three crosses RNOYR-15 × RNOYR-16, RNOYR-16 × RNOYR-17 and RNOYR-17 × RNOYR-18 were of significantly higher yield potential than the standard check “No. 64”, but of comparable yield potential with other checks “Avantika” and “Shakti”. In addition, these three crosses also of superior pod quality could be exploited for development of commercial hybrid okra. These hybrids would be advantageous for production and quality improvement, trade facilitation and environmental protection.