Isolation of genetic male sterile mutant in okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Abstract

Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is one of the important vegetable crops in India. The work on heterosis in okra has already been reviewed [1, 2]. A number of workers have reported heterosis for plant height, number of internodes, branches and seeds per fruit and fruit yield. Similarly negative heterosis has been reported for days to flowering and days for maturity [3-6]. In India seed companies are producing a number of F1 hybrids of okra through emasculation and hand pollination. Use of malic hydrazide and FW-450 (Sodium 2, 3 dichloisbutrate) spray application has been proved successful for inducing pollen sterility on experimental scale; but has not been used in commercial F1 okra seed production [1]. A method has been reported for F1 seed production in okra, following the use of genetic male sterility [7]. However, there is no reference in the literature forthcoming regarding the presence of GMS okra lines and their commercial use for hybrid seed production.