Exploring Genetic Variability in Segregating Generations and Biparental Progenies for Sustainable Crop Improvement in Bhendi [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench]

Abstract

To assess the degree of genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance for Economically important traits in bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Monech.), three populations such as BIP, F2, and F3 were developed in bhendi during 2022 and analyzed in 2023. On comparing BIP populations to F2 and F3 populations, significant variation was seen for the majority of the characters. This was supported by high means and wider ranges of variation, which were shown by high to moderate PCV and GCV values for fruit length, number of fruits per plant, and fruit yield per plant. The BIPs of Basanthi / Parbhani Kranti recorded high mean performance for traits such asnumber of fruits per plant, fruit length, fruit girth, fruit yield per plant. The superiority of BIPs developed in all the three crosses could be used as base population for developing high yielding early maturing cultivars as they had combined superior performance for earliness and fruit yield per plant. The analysis of components of variance in BIPs in all the three crosses revealed that the additive genetic variance was predominant, which indicated that selection in early intermating generations could result in development of potential progenies.