CSK HIMACHAL PRADESH KRISHI VISHVAVIDYALAYA

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
PALAMPUR (HP) 176062

Synopsis of Thesis of Postgraduate Student

Name of the student : Akhilesh Singh

Admission Number : A-2014-40-024
Degree (M.Sc. /M.V.Sc. /Ph.D.) : Ph.D.
Faculty : Agriculture
Discipline : Vegetable Science and Floriculture
Major Field : Vegetable Science
Minor Discipline : 1) Plant Breeding and Genetics
2) Plant Pathology
Title of the research work : Gene action studies for fruit yield and horticultural traits
in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench).

1) Introduction

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench), also called as lady’s finger or bhindi is one of
the most common and principal vegetable crops grown all the year round in the country
including low and mid hills of H.P. Due to high nutritive value and long post harvest life of
okra, it has captured a prominent position among the export oriented vegetables. It has a vast
potential as one of the foreign exchange earner crops and accounts for 70% of the export of
fresh vegetables, excluding potato, onion and garlic, the destinations being the Middle East,
Western Europe and USA. Major exporting areas of the country are Nasik, Ozar, Saikheda,
Dindori, Kolhar, Naraingaon and Sholapur in Maharashtra. Globally, okra is grown in an
area of 1.10 million hectares with a production of 8.68 million tonnes (Anonymous 2013).
Okra is consumed as tender and delicious fruits used in a variety of ways as cooked
vegetable, boiled or fried, soups, stews in meat, frozen, canned and dehydrated products. The
roots and stem of okra are used as clarifier for cane juice from which brown sugar or gur is
prepared and is also used in paper industry. Its ripe seeds are roasted, ground and used as
substitute for coffee in Turkey. Nutritionally, okra green fruits are rich in vitamins (C, A and
 2

B) and minerals (Ca, P, Mg and Fe). Okra is said to be very useful against genito-urinary
disorders, spermatorrhoea and chronic dysentery. Mucilage and fibre content present in okra
help in lowering down glucose level and are good for diabetic patients. In India, area under
okra cultivation is about 532.68 thousand hectares with annual production and productivity
of 6,346 thousand tonnes and 11.91 tonnes per hectare, respectively (Anonymous 2014a).
Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Punjab are
the leading states where okra is grown on commercial scale. In Himachal Pradesh, it is grown
during summer and rainy season in low and mid hills and occupies an area of 2.76 thousand
hectares with an annual production and productivity of 34.03 thousand tonnes and 12.33
tonnes per hectare, respectively (Anonymous 2014b). Although, there has been considerable
improvement in the yield of okra over the years, further genetic improvement appears to be
possible with identification and development of new improved disease resistant cultivars.
Hence, development of high yielding and Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus (YVMV) resistant
varieties is the major necessity. Interspecific and intervarietal hybridization followed by
selection have been adopted to develop high yielding and YVMV resistant varieties.
However, a frequent breakdown of YVMV resistance of most of the resistant varieties is a
matter of concern and this needs continuous attention of the breeders.

A lot of information on inheritance pattern of different traits is available in okra but still
holds future promise as the nature of gene action varies with the experimental material and
environment under study. Recombination breeding is the most appropriate approach in order
to combine various desirable horticultural attributes with higher fruit yield. In such approach,
the efficiency of breeding programme would mainly depend upon the genetic architecture of
the traits under improvement. Triple test cross analysis is the most efficient designs for
investigating the genetic architecture of population. Since, this approach provides not only a
precise test for epistasis but also gives unbiased estimates of additive and dominance genetic
components in the absence of epistasis. Moreover, the approach is independent of allelic
frequency, gene correlation and mating system. Besides, gathering information on various
genetic components following triple test cross, knowledge of heterosis and combining ability
including precise estimates of general combining ability (gca) and specific combining ability
(sca) can also be obtained through line x tester technique.
 3

2) Objectives of investigation

The present research project is therefore, proposed to be undertaken with the following
objectives:
1. To find out the contribution of different genetic components controlling the inheritance of
various traits,
2. To identify the potential parents and cross-combinations on the basis of combining ability
and heterosis in okra.
3) A Brief Resume of Work Done in India and Abroad
a) Work done abroad:

Adeniji and Kehinde (2003) evaluated seven accessions of West African okra and their
crosses for seed yield components in randomized complete block design and revealed that
additive gene effect predominates the inheritance of seed yield components. A high
additive gene estimates, narrow sense heritability and genetic advance indicated that
selection in the early generations for these characters could be effective.

Adeniji et al. (2007) in their genetic studies on West African okra found that additive
gene action was high for 100 seed weight and seed yield per plant.

Adeniji (2007) conducted experiments for genetic studies on earliness in West African
okra and reported that additive gene effect was important in the inheritance of earliness as
compared with other gene effects.

Dabandata et al. (2010) conducted heterosis and combining ability studies in okra using
diallel crossing system at Cameroon in a randomized block design with 3 replications and
reported that heterosis over mid-parent and combining abilities were significant for all the
traits studied. General combining ability effects were found highly significant for all the
traits studied except for pod peduncle length and days to 50 per cent flowering.

Wammanda et al. (2010) conducted studies on combining ability and heterosis in a diallel
cross of okra and results showed that there was significant general combining ability and
specific combining ability variances in all the traits, indicating both additive and non-
additive gene effects operated in the genetic expression of the traits. Hybrid Mothol-AE2
 4

x Mothol-AE3 exhibited heterosis of up to 23.3% in yield per plant over the higher
yielding parents.

Adewusi et al. (2013) investigated heritability and gene action moderating the inheritance
of number of seeds per pod in four crosses of West African okra accessions at University
of Agriculture, Nigeria and results showed that the additive gene effect significantly
accounted for a large proportion of variability observed for number of seeds per pod.

Obiadalla-ali et al. (2013) evaluated two Egyptian and four exotic parental genotypes of
okra crossed in half-diallel design to study heterosis and combining ability for earliness,
vegetative and yield component traits and found that majority of crosses exhibited
significant heterosis estimates over mid-parent for all the traits studied. General and
specific combining ability mean squares were reported highly significant for all the traits
studied.

b) Work done in India:

Panda and Singh (2000) carried out genetic analysis in okra using two testers (Arka
Anamika and Pusa Sawani) and 20 parental lines crossed in a triple test cross design on
seven quantitative traits viz., days to first flowering, node at which first flower appears,
plant height, number of pods per plant, length of pod, girth of pod and pod yield per
plant. The results revealed the importance of epistasis in the inheritance of all the
characters in both rainy as well as summer season except for length of pod in summer
season.
Tripathi and Arora (2001) carried out triple test cross analysis in two crosses of okra viz.,
Pusa A-4 x KS-410 and AG-26 x Pb-8 using 20 F2 plants derived from each cross as
lines (males) and the parents, Pusa A-4 (L1 ) and KS-410 (L2) as testers (females) in the
first cross and AG-26 (L1) and Pb-8 (L2) as testers (females) in the second cross. The
results revealed the importance of epistasis for days to first flowering, fruit weight,
number of fruits per plant, length of pod, yield and plant height whereas for node at
which first flower appeared, epistasis was not detected.
 5

Singh et al. (2006) studied combining ability effects for different characters in line x
tester crossing programme and revealed predominance of non-additive gene effects for all
the traits studied. Many parental lines were found as good general combiners for various
characters.
Arora and Ghai (2007) in their study of estimation of genetic components using triple test
cross analysis in okra reported that dominance components were more important than the
additive components for inheritance of most of the traits.
Mehta et al. (2007) conducted heterosis and gene action studies in okra and revealed that
SCA variances for different traits studied were higher than so GCA variance indicating
preponderance of non-additive gene action, indicating scope for exploitation of heterosis.
Patel et al. (2008) studied the genetic architecture of some okra crosses through triple test
cross method and revealed that the additive as well as dominance components of genetic
variance were significant for all the characters examined except dominance component
for number of nodes per plant. This indicated that both additive and dominance
components were important for the inheritance of the traits.
Weerasekara et al. (2008) estimated the combining ability effects for different characters
in okra using line x tester crossing programme and reported that parents and hybrids
differed significantly for GCA and SCA effects respectively. Preponderance of
dominance gene effect was reported.
Abdelmageed (2010) conducted inheritance studies of some economic characters in okra
and reported that most of the genetic variance was accounted for by additive and
dominance gene effects, with evidence of epistasis.
Khanorkar and Kathiria (2010) studied genetic architecture of fruit yield and its
contributing quantitative traits in okra and results revealed additive and additive x
additive types of fixable gene effects for days to first flowering and days to first picking
as well as fruit yield and its contributing traits.
Pal et al. (2010) conducted line x tester analysis for combining ability in okra and
reported predominance of non-additive gene effects for all the traits studied. The parents
namely KS-442, 7109, K-Bonia, KS-423, KS-437, 7216, PK and AB-2 were found good
general combiner for many of the traits.
 6

Singh and Sanwal (2010) conducted studies on okra using line x tester programme and
results revealed preponderance of non-additive (dominance) gene action for all the traits
under study.
Solankey and Singh (2010) in their studies on combining ability in okra reported
preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the characters studied indicating scope
of heterosis breeding in crop improvement.
Solankey et al. (2012) conducted study to determine nature of gene action for yield and
yield attributing traits in okra and reported dominance gene action was more important
than additive gene action for most of the traits under study.
Adiger et al. (2013) conducted study to estimate combining ability effects for different
characters in a line x tester crossing programme and reported that magnitude of specific
combining ability variance was higher than the general combining ability variance pin
pointing the predominance of non-additive gene action for all the characters studied.

Reddy et al. (2013) studied gene action and combining ability of yield and its
components for kharif okra and results revealed that both additive and non-additive gene
effects operated in the genetic expression of the traits and relative magnitude of general
and specific combining abilities variances indicating the preponderance of non-additive
gene action for majority of characters studied.

c) Work done in CSK HPKV:

Chauhan and Singh (2002) conducted heterosis studies in okra using line x tester analysis
and results indicated the presence of non-additive gene action for the traits under study.
Vermani (2004) carried out genetic analysis for yield and its components in okra using
triple test cross analysis and revealed significant differences due to epistasis for all the
characters studied except internodal length and nodes per plant at Palampur and days to
emergence at two environments viz., Palampur and Akrot.
Verma (2013) conducted genetic studies on intraspecific hybrids in okra and reported that
magnitude of dominance variance was higher than additive variance for majority of the
traits indicating preponderance of non-additive gene action. Considerable heterosis was
reported for most of the traits studied over better parent and the standard check Hybrid
Tulsi.
 7

4) Technical programme of work:

The experimental material will comprise of 15 fixed lines and three testers of okra. Two
diverse genotypes (P1 and P2) and their F1 will be used as testers ‘L1’,’L2’ and ‘L3’, respectively.
The crosses will be attempted as per the mating design proposed by Kearsey and Jinks (1968).
During kharif 2015, P1 and P2 will be crossed to develop F1. During kharif 2016, these three
testers will be used as male parents for crossing with 15 lines (females) to develop 45 triple test
cross hybrids. The 45 triple test cross progenies along with 15 lines and three testers will be
evaluated in a Randomized Block Design with three replications during kharif 2017.

Observations to be recorded:
1. Quantitative traits:
 Days to 50% flowering
 Days to first picking
 First fruit producing node
 Nodes per plant
 Internodal length (cm)
 Fruit length (cm)
 Fruit diameter (cm)
 Average fruit weight (g)
 Plant height (cm)
 Harvest duration (days)
 Fruits per plant
 Fruit yield per plant (g)
2. Quality traits:
 Immature fruit colour
 Fruit pubescence
 Ridges per fruit
 Dry matter (%)
 Mucilage (%)
 8

3. Disease incidence:
 Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus
For screening of the disease, the F2 generation will also be undertaken at KVK Kangra or
RSS Akrot.

Statistical analysis:

i. Analysis of variance
Data recorded will be analyzed statistically for each character following the model given
by Panse and Sukhatme (1984).
ii. Estimation of additive and dominance components of variation
The additive and dominance components of variation will be computed as per the model
given by Kearsey and Jinks (1968).
iii. Test for detection of epistasis
The presence of non-allelic interactions will be determined by using the model proposed
by (Kearsey and Jinks 1968; Jinks et al. 1969).
iv. Analysis of variance for combining ability
The combining ability analysis will be carried out as per the method of Kempthorne
(1957).
v. Estimation of heterosis
The estimates of heterosis were calculated as the deviation of F1 mean from the mean
values of better parent (BP) and standard check (SC) following the method of Turner
(1953) and Hayes et al. (1956).
vi. Disease scoring for Yellow Vein Mosaic Virus will be done as per 0-9 scale given by
Mayee and Datar (1986).

5) References:

Abdelmageed AHA. 2010. Inheritance studies of some economic characters in okra

(Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems 12: 619-
625
Adeniji OT and Kehinde OB. 2003. Genetic variability and heritability of seed yield
components in West African okra (Abelmoschus caillei [A. Chev] Stevels). ASSET Series A
4:81-89
 9

Adeniji OT, Kehinde OB, Ajala MO and Adebisi MA. 2007. Genetic studies on seed yield of
West African okra [Abelmoschus caillei (A. Chev.) Stevels]. Journal of Tropical Agriculture
45(1-2):36-41
Adeniji OT. 2007. Genetic studies on earliness in West African Okra (Abelmoschus caillei
[A. Chev] Stevels). International Journal of Agricultural Research 2(8): 750-753
Adewusi OF, Kehinde OB and Ojo DK. 2013. Heritability and genes governing number of
seeds per pod in West African okra (Abelmoschus caillei (A. Chev.) Stevels). Journal of
Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare 3(9): 45-48
Adiger S, Shanthakumar G and Salimath PM. 2013. Selection of parents based on combining
ability studies in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Karnataka Journal of
Agricultural Sciences 26(1): 6-9
Anonymous. 2013. Annual Report. Food and Agricultural Organisation, India
Anonymous. 2014a. Indian horticulture database. National Horticulture Board, Ministry of
Agriculture, Government of India
Anonymous. 2014b. Indian horticulture database. National Horticulture Board, Ministry of
Agriculture, Government of India
Arora D and Ghai TR. 2007. Estimation of genetic components using triple test cross
analysis in inter-varietal crosses of okra. Journal of Research 44(1): 55-58
Chauhan S and Singh Y. 2002. Heterosis studies in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)
Moench]. Vegetable Science 29(2):116-118
Dabandata C, Bell MJ, Amougou A and Ngalle BH. 2010. Heterosis and combining ability
in a diallel cross of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). Agronomie Africaine 22(1):
45-53
Hayes HK, Immer FF and Smith DC. 1956. Methods of Plant Breeding. Mc Graw Hill Book
Publishing Company, Inc. New York. pp 21-34
Jinks JL, Perkins JM and Breese EL. 1969. A general method for detecting additive,
dominance and epistatic variation of metrical traits. II. Application of inbred lines. Heredity
24 (3): 45-57
Kearsey ML and Jinks JL. 1968. A general method for the detection of additive, dominance
and epistatic components of variation for metrical traits. I. Theory. Heredity 23 (4): 403–409
 10

Kempthorne O. 1957. An introduction to Genetic Statistics. John Wiley and Sons, New
York. pp 468-471

Khanorkar SM and Kathiria KB. 2010. Genetic architecture of fruit yield and its contributing
quantitative traits in Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench. Electronic Journal of Plant
Breeding 1(4): 716-730
Mayee CD and Datar VV. 1986. Phytopathometery. Marathwada Agricultural University,
Prabhani, University Press. P 84
Mehta N, Asati BS and Mamidwar SR. 2007. Heterosis and gene action in okra. Bangladesh
Journal of Agricultural Research 32(3): 421-432
Obiadalla-Ali HA, Eldekashy MHZ and Helaly AA. 2013. Combining ability and heterosis
studies for yield and its components in some cultivars of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.
Moench). American-Eurasian Journal of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences 13(2): 162-
167
Pal MK, Singh B, Kumar D and Yadav JR. 2010. Line x tester analysis for combining ability
in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Progressive Agriculture 10(Special Issue):
99-102
Panda PK and Singh KP. 2000. Modified triple test cross analysis for yield and yield
components in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). The Indian Journal of Genetics
and Plant Breeding 60(4): 569-571
Panse VG and Sukhatme PV. 1984. Statistical Methods for Agricultural Workers. Indian
Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi. p 381
Patel AP, Mehta DR and Chovatia VP. 2008. Studies on the genetic architecture of some
okra crosses through triple test cross method. Vegetable Science 35(2):216-217
Reddy MT, Babu KH, Ganesh M, Begum H, Dilipbabu J and Reddy RSK. 2012. Gene
action and combining ability of yield and its components for late kharif season in okra
(Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench). Chilean Journal of Agricultural Research 73(1): 9-
15
Singh S, Singh B and Pal AK. 2006. Line x tester analysis of combining ability in okra.
Indian Journal of Horticulture 63(4): 397-401
Singh B and Sanwal SK. 2010. Heterosis, combining ability and gene action studies in okra
[Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]. Vegetable Science 37(2):187-189
 11

Solankey SS and Singh AK. 2010. Studies on combining ability in okra [Abelmoschus
esculentus (L.) Moench]. Asian Journal of Horticulture 5(1): 49-53
Solankey SS, SinghRK, Singh SK, Singh DK, Singh VP and Singh P. 2012. Nature of gene
action for yield and yield attributing traits in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench].
The Asian Journal of Horticulture 7(2): 321-323
Tripathi V and Arora SK. 2001. Detection of epistasis and estimation of components of
genetic variation in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). Vegetable Science 28(2):
109-112
Turner JM. 1953. A study of heterosis in upland cotton || Combining ability and inbreeding
depression effects. Agronomy Journal 43:487-490
Verma A. 2013. Genetic studies on intraspecific hybrids in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus
(L.) Moench Ph D Thesis,. Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture, CSK
Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India. p 89.
Vermani A. 2004. Genetic analysis for yield and its components in okra (Abelmoschus
esculentus (L.) Moench Ph D Thesis,. Department of Vegetable Science and Floriculture,
CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur, India. p 5-6.
Wammanda DT, Kadams AM and Jonah PM. 2010. Combining ability analysis and heterosis
in a diallel cross of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench). African Journal of
Agricultural Research 5(16): 2108-2115
Weerasekara D, Jagadeesha RC, Wali MC, Salimath PM, Hosamani RM and Kalappanavar
IK. 2008. Combining ability of yield and yield components in okra (Abelmoschus
esculentus (L.) Moench). Karnataka Journal of Agricultural Science 21(2): 187-189

6) Facilities Available
All the necessary facilities required for the conduct of this research proposal are available
in the Department of Vegetable Science & Floriculture, COA, CSK HPKV, Palampur.
7) Collaboration with other departments/ institute and university:
Help from the concerned scientists of the Department of Plant Breeding & Genetics of
this University would be sought, whenever required.
 12

CERTIFICATE
Certified that this synopsis of Akhilesh Singh, Admission no. (A-2014-40-024) entitled “Gene
action studies for fruit yield and horticultural traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)
Moench).” has been formulated and finalized by the student himself in consultation with the
members of Advisory Committee and is in accordance with the instruction of Dean, Post
Graduate Studies, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur on the subject.

______________ ________________

(Signature of the student with date) (Signature of Major Advisor with date)

Approved

Advisory Committee

Sr.No. Name &Designation Signature

1. Dr. Sonia Sood (Professor) Major Advisor
Vegetables

2. Dr. Sanjay Chadha Member

(Associate Professor) Vegetables

3. Dr. Amar Singh Member

(Associate Professor) Plant Pathology

4. Dr. V.K. Sood (Professor) Member cum Dean’s

Nominee
Crop Improvement

Head of the Department Dean Postgraduate Studies