Assessing High-yielding Variety Anand Komal for Dual-season Cultivation of Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L. Moench) in Middle Gujarat Agro Climatic Condition

Abstract

India is the top country by the okra production in the world. Due to the principal significance of maximizing agricultural benefits for farmers in the existing context of Gujarat, there was a compelling need for the development of a high-yielding dual-season variety of okra. The genotype has been specifically developed for cultivation during the summer and kharif seasons in the central region of Gujarat. Systematic testing was conducted in Preliminary Evaluation Trial II (PET II) from 2016 onwards, spanning various trials across diverse locations within the state from 2017 to 2020, encompassing both kharif and summer seasons. As a result of its commendable performance, the genotype designated as Anand Komal was developed for consideration and endorsement under the specific agro-climatic conditions prevalent in central Gujarat. The new variety excels in middle Gujarat, yielding 125.00 q/ha, surpassing GAO 5, GO 6, and Pusa Sawani by 21.49, 44.82, and 42.05% during kharif and summer. It features dark green, tender fruits with strong leaf serration and deep lobbing, tall stature, more nodes, and short internodes. It contains higher phenol (0.13%), soluble sugars (2.50%), and chlorophyll (0.55 mg/g) and shows lower susceptibility to major diseases and pests. ISSR marker "ISSR-25" delineated distinct genetic profiles among the okra samples, particularly highlighting the genetic uniqueness of variety AOL-16-01. This variety presents a promising option for middle Gujarat, offering improved yields and enhanced resilience to agricultural challenges.