Vol. 9, Special Issue 11, Part G (2025)

The present investigation entitled "Studies on combining ability and heterosis through diallel cross in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) for Hill Zone of Karnataka" was conducted during 2024-25 at the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Mudigere. Ten F₁ hybrids were developed by crossing five genotypes in a half diallel mating design and evaluated along with their parents and standard check (Arka Nikita) in a Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences among genotypes for most traits, confirming adequate genetic variability. Considerable standard heterosis was observed for yield and quality traits. Positive and significant heterosis was recorded for plant height at 60 DAS (5.95%), fruit length (22.80%), number of fruits per plant (24.00%), fruit yield per plot (68.53%) and total chlorophyll content (70.00%). Earliness was associated with significant negative heterosis for days taken for first flower bud initiation (-12. 42%). The hybrid Siddapur local 2 × Arabhavi local was most promising, showing the highest heterosis for yield (68.53% per plot) along with superiority in quality traits. Among parents, Siddapur local 2 and Arabhavi local were good general combiners, while Siddapur local 2 × Arabhavi local, Sirsi local 1 × Siddapur local 2 and Halu bhendi × Siddapur local 2 were superior specific combiners. The greater magnitude of general combining ability variance over specific combining ability indicates the predominance of additive gene action, implying that these superior hybrids can be efficiently used for enhancing yield, earliness and quality traits in okra.