Genetic studies on heterosis estimation and combining ability analysis in bhendi (Abelmoschus esculentus)

The present study was conducted during 2024 bhendi growing seasons at the campus farm, Department of Agriculture, Kalasalingam Academy of research and Education, Krishnan koil. A thorough investigation into the genetic regulation of eight agronomically significant features in the target crop was carried out utilising a 7-parent diallel mating design with reciprocals. Both additive and non-additive gene actions significantly influenced the inheritance of all the traits under study, according to the analysis of variance (ANOVA) for general combining ability (GCA) and specialised combining ability (SCA). This implies that both additive and non-additive gene effects—those that depend on particular parental combinations and those that are passed on from parents to children in a predictable way—play important roles in the development of traits. Strong general combining ability effects were demonstrated by a number of parents, indicating their potential application in hybridisation programs intended to accumulate advantageous alleles. The Varsha Uphar × Madurai local hybrid showed remarkable per se performance, high SCA effects, and significant standard heterosis for most of the characteristics, suggesting a high potential for commercial exploitation among the hybrids assessed. The hybrid vigour found in these pairings was further highlighted by the hybrid Varsha Uphar × Tenksi local, which recorded the highest standard heterosis for fruit output per plant at 78.56%.