Induction of genetic variability in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] by gamma and ems.

Abstract

An investigation was carried out to study the extent of genetic variability induced through physical and chemical mutagens in okra. Seeds of two popular okra varieties viz. GO-2 and GJO-3 were treated with 20 kR, 30 kR and 40 kR of gamma rays and 0.15% and 0.25% EMS to raise M1 generation in summer 2011 and the seed obtained from all of the M1 competitive plants were used to raise M2 in progeny rows of each of the treatments including control (the untreated one) in kharif 2011.In M2 generation, increase in GCV, heritability and genetic advance was considerable under different mutagenic treatments for most of the traits studied in both varieties. In GO-2, high heritability and genetic advance was observed for some important yield contributing characters like fruit length at 40 kR and 0.25% EMS; fruit weight at 20 kR and 40 kR; and fruit yield per plant at 20, 30, 40 kR and 0.15% EMS.Similarly in GJO-3, high heritability coupled with high genetic advance was observed for fruit length at 30 kR and fruit yield per plant at 20 kR. YVMV percentage exhibited high PCV and GCV with high heritability and genetic advance in 0.25% EMS treatment in GO-2 and 40kR treatment in GJO-3. Thus selection for these characters at specific mutagenic treatments will be effective for improvement in okra.