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Dr. Y. S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Solan
Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Solan, was established on 1st December, 1985 with the objective to promote education, research and extension education in the fields of Horticulture, Forestry and allied disciplines. Late Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar, the first Chief Minister and the architect of Himachal Pradesh perceived the importance of Horticulture and Forestry to develop and improve the State economy which led to the establishment of this University. Its history lies in erstwhile Himachal Agricultural College, Solan, established in 1962 and affiliated to the Panjab University. It became one of the campuses of Agriculture Complex of Himachal Pradesh University on its formation in 1970. Consequent upon the establishment of Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya in 1978, this campus became its Horticulture Complex and finally in 1985, assumed the status of a State University, being the only University in the country engaged exclusively in teaching, research and extension in Horticulture and Forestry.
The University is located at Nauni in Solan District of Himachal Pradesh, 13 km from Solan on Solan-Rajgarh Road, at an elevation of 1300 metres above mean sea level. Solan town is situated on national highway (NH-22) and is well connected by train and bus services.
The University has four constituent colleges, out of which, two are located at the main campus Nauni, one for horticulture and the other for forestry, having 9 and 7 departments, respectively. The third College i.e., College of Horticulture & Forestry is located at Neri in Hamirpur District on Nadaun-Hamirpur state highway, about 6 Km from Hamirpur town and is well connected with bus service. The college offers three Undergraduate Degree Programmes i.e. BSc (Hons.) Horticulture, BSc (Hons.) Forestry and B. Tech. Biotechnology and MSc degree programme in a few subjects. The fourth college i.e. College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag (Mandi) is located at Thunag District Mandi. This college offer BSc (Hons.) Horticulture and BSc (Hons.) Forestry degree programme. In addition, there are five Regional Research Stations, 12 Satellite Stations and five Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) situated in different zones of the State.
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ThesisItem Open Access HETEROSIS AND COMBINING ABILITY OF OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) UNDER LOW HILL CONDITIONS OF HIMACHAL PRADESH(UHF Nauni, 2024-03-04) PRATIBHA SHARMA; BS DograThe present studies entitled "Heterosis and combining ability of okra (Abelnoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) under low hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh" were carried out at the Experimental Research Farm of the Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture and Forestry, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Neri, Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh during the years 2021 and 2022. The experimental material for the present study comprised of eight parents and F1 population of twenty-eight crosses, developed by crossing these eight diverse okra lines in diallel design (excluding reciprocals). All the parents and their hybrids along with the standard check (Punjab-8) were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design for their evaluation in Kharif, 2022. The observations were recorded on yield and yield related traits viz., germination period, days to 50 per cent flowering, first fruiting node, internodal length (cm), number of primary branches per plant, pod length (cm), pod diameter (cm), number of locules per pod, number of pods per plant, average pod weight (g), pod yield per plant (g), days to first picking, harvest duration, plant height (cm), number of seeds per pod and 100 seed weight (g). The analysis of variance indicated highly significant diferences among the genotypes for all the traits studied. Experimental results revealed that three lines viz., Pusa Sawani, Pusa A-4 and Parbhani Kranti were found superior on the basis of mean performance and general combining ability studies. Three cross combinations viz., Parbhani Kranti x Punjab-8, Pusa A-4 x Pusa Sawani and Pusa Sawanix Arka Anamika were found best on the basis of mean performance, specific combining ability and heterosis studies. Hence, these hybrid combinations can be tested further. Gene action studies indicated predominance of dominance elfets in goveming most of the traits suggesting exploitation of hybrid vigour and developing hybrids for unprovement of these traits in okra on the basis of present studies.ThesisItem Open Access STANDARDIZATION OF HYBRID SEED PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY IN CAULIFLOWER(UHF Nauni, 2024-03-07) SHIVANI SHARMA; Devinder Kumar MehtaThe present investigation entitled “Standardization of Hybrid Seed Production Technology in Cauliflower” was conducted during Rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23 at research farm of Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) for morphological characterization based on DUS (Distinctness, Uniformity and Stability) traits, floral characterization of CMS lines and to study the effect of different planting ratios of cytoplasmic male sterile lines and pollen parent on hybrid seed production of cauliflower. The experimental material comprised of six CMS lines (CMS-1, CMS-2, CMS-3, CMS-4, CMS-5 & CMS-6) of cauliflower and one pollen parent (PSBK-25) and three planting ratios (1:1, 2:1 & 3:1). Separate experiments were conducted for morphological and floral characterization and for seed setting studies. Healthy and disease-free seedlings of CMS lines and pollen parent were transplanted in the open field on 12th October, 2021 and 20th October, 2022. Six CMS lines were evaluated and analysed for different morphological traits on the basis of DUS guidelines and floral traits and the effect of different planting ratios of CMS lines and pollen parent on hybrid seed production of cauliflower was also studied on the basis of seed traits viz., plant height (cm) at seed harvesting, days to 50 per cent flowering, days to harvest for seed, number of primary branches/plant, number of secondary branches/plant, ratio of secondary to primary branches, pod length (cm), pod diameter (mm), number of pods/plant, number of seeds/pod, and seed yield/plant (g), seed yield per plot (g) and per ha (kg), 1000 seed weight (g) and seed quality parameters viz., speed of germination, germination (%), seedling length (cm), seedling dry weight (mg), seed vigour index-I, seed vigour index-II and electrical conductivity (dS/m). From the experimental results it was concluded that identification of superior lines through morphological characterization serves as an aid in registering of varieties under PPV& FR Act, 2001 and for floral characters it was revealed that the line CMS-6 was found desirable for hybrid seed production of cauliflower because of large ovary and style length and other floral characters. Among different CMS lines, CMS-3 performed best for higher hybrid seed yield in cauliflower and among different planting ratios, the planting ratio 2:1 resulted in higher hybrid seed yield per hectare as compared to the planting ratio 1:1 or 3:1 which was mainly due to optimum population of female and male parents. The interaction between planting ratio and CMS lines also revealed maximum hybrid seed yield per hectare in ratio of 2:1 and CMS-3. The seed quality characters were found to be best in the planting ratio 1:1 however it was at par with the ratio 2:1. B:C ratio was also found maximum in combination of ratio 2:1 and CMS-3. So finally it was concluded that the combination of planting ratio of CMS lines and pollen parent in 2:1 and the line CMS-3 can be recommended for achieving higher hybrid seed yield in cauliflowerThesisItem Open Access GENETIC ANALYSIS OF CYTOPLASMIC MALE STERILITY BASED HYBRIDS IN CAULIFLOWER(UHF Nauni, 2024-02-24) AJAY SINGH; Devinder Kumar MehtaThe present investigation entitled “Genetic Analysis of Cytoplasmic Male Sterility Based Hybrids in Cauliflower” was conducted during the years 2020-2022 at research farm of Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP) to assess the information on combining ability, gene action analysis and magnitude of heterosis for different yield related traits. Fifty-five cross combinations generated from crossing of eleven CMS lines (CAU-CMS-4, CAU-CMS-5, CAU-CMS-6, CAU-CMS-7, CAU-CMS-8, CAU-CMS-9, CAU-CMS-10, CAU-CMS-11, CAU-CMS-12, CAU-CMS-13 and CAU-CMS-14) with 5 testers (Early Snowball, Early London, Champion, Pusa Himjyoti and PSBK-1) in Line × Tester mating design were evaluated along with parents and a standard check (Pusa Snowball Hybrid-1) in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replication for sixteen quantitative traits and nine quality traits. Analysis of variance for the data revealed significant differences among the genotypes for most of the traits investigated. The combining ability analysis revealed significant differences due to lines, testers and line x tester interactions for most of the traits when tested against error indicating appreciable diversity in the experimental material. The experimental results suggested CAU-CMS-4 as the best general combiner for various traits such as number of leaves per plant, leaf length, leaf width, curd polar length, curd size index, curd solidity, gross plant weight, marketable curd weight and net curd weight, whereas; CAU-CMS-5 excelled with desirable GCA effects for traits viz., plant height, days to 50 per cent curd harvesting and stalk length. The experimental results inferred that on the basis of GCA analysis and mean performances, the parents, CAU-CMS-12, CAU-CMS-13, CAU-CMS- 14, PSBK-1, Early London and Champion were found superior for majority of yield contributing traits. The hybrids CAU-CMS-4 × Early London, CAU-CMS-5 × PSBK-1 and CAU-CMS-7 × Early Snowball were the three best performing hybrids on the basis of their per se mean performance, SCA analysis and heterotic effects for majority of yield traits such as curd size index, marketable curd weight/curd yield, net curd weight and its contributing traits. These crosses also exhibited less black rot severity and had desirable curd traits such as snow-white curds, curd covering by inner leaves, compact curds and were free from curd riceyness. The estimates of variance ratio (σ 2A/ σ 2D) were less than unity for most of the traits substantiating the role of non-additive gene action for the traits suggesting the exploitation of heterosis breeding for further improvement in the mid-late and late maturity groups of cauliflower. Hence, these three cross combinations should be further evaluated at multi-locations before releasing as a substitute of already existing hybrids of cauliflower.ThesisItem Open Access EXPLOITATION OF HETEROSIS FOR WIDER ADAPTABILITY IN CHILLI (Capsicum annuum L.)(UHF Nauni, 2024-04-24) ANKUSH CHAUDHARY; H Dev SharmaThe present investigation was carried out at three different locations viz., UHF, Nauni (E1), RHR&TS, DhaulaKuan (E2) and RHR&TS, Bajaura (E3) during Summer 2021 and 2022 to study the mean performance, heterosis, combining ability, gene action and stability analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in chilli. The experiment material used in the present study comprised of seven chilli genotypes, which were crossed during summer season 2021 to obtain twenty one hybrids by using half diallel mating design. Twenty one hybrids along with parents and one check DKC-8 were evaluated in RCBD with three replications at three different locations during summer 2022. The analysis revealed that all the genotypes possessed wider variability and showed significant differences for parents and crosses for the characters studied. The parents Him Palam Mirch 2 (418.10 g), Punjab Guchhedar (334.02 g) and Pusa Jwala (318.11 g) whereas, cross combinations Him Palam Mirch 2 × Punjab Guchhedar (600.63 g), Him Palam Mirch 2 × Him Palam Mirch 1 (530.15 g), Him Palam Mirch 2 × DKC-8 (498.59 g) and Punjab Guchhedar × DKC-8 (476.22 g) recorded the high red ripe fruit yield per plant pooled across all the environments. The standard heterosis for fruit yield per plant ranged from -22.55% (Surajmukhi × Pusa Sadabahar) to 223.53% (Him Palam Mirch 2 × Punjab Guchhedar) in E1, -12.19% (Surajmukhi × Pusa Sadabahar) to 135.81% (Him Palam Mirch 2 × Punjab Guchhedar) in E2 and -4.65% (Surajmukhi × Pusa Jwala) to 164.08% (Him Palam Mirch 2 × Punjab Guchhedar) in E3, -12.51% (Surajmukhi × Pusa Sadabahar) to 172.73% (Him Palam Mirch 2 × Punjab Guchhedar) in pooled and heterobeltiosis ranging from -42.49% (Him Palam Mirch 2 × Pusa Jwala) to 98.18% (Pusa Sadabahar × DKC-8) in E1, -31.54% (Surajmukhi × Pusa Jwala) to 85.49% (Pusa Sadabahar × DKC-8) in E2 and -36.65% (Surajmukhi × Pusa Jwala) to 112.08% (Pusa Sadabahar × DKC-8) in E3, -34.26% (Surajmukhi × Pusa Jwala) to 97.14% (Pusa Sadabahar × DKC-8) in pooled. For yield and component traits, the parental lines, Him Palam Mirch 2, Punjab Guchhedar, Pusa Jwala and DKC-8 had exhibited good gca effect for ripe fruit yield per plant. Among the cross combinations, the top five high yielding hybrid combinations with significant positive sca effects for fruit yield were Pusa Sadabahar × DKC-8 (142.11), Him Palam Mirch 2 × Him Palam Mirch 1 (121.19), Him Palam Mirch 2 × Punjab Guchhedar (111.45) and Pusa Jwala × Punjab Guchhedar (108.34). The ratio of σ2gca variance to σ2sca variance revealed that non-additive gene action was more prominent than additive one in the inherited of all the characters examined except capsaicin content therefore improvement of this character is possible through heterosis breeding . From the present study on stability, three hybrids viz., Him Palam Mirch 2 × Punjab Guchhedar, Pusa Sadabahar × DKC-8 and Pusa Jwala × Punjab Guchhedar recorded higher mean value than population mean, non-significant deviation from regression line and regression coefficient near to unity and were identified as stable hybrids for red ripe fruit yield per plant and other yield contributing traits and can be utilized for future chilli breeding programmesThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING AND MANURIAL PRACTICES ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF GARLIC (Allium sativum L.)(UHF Nauni, 2024-04-24) SPARSH MADAIK; H Dev SharmaThe present investigation entitled “Studies on effect of intercropping and manurial practices on yield and quality of garlic (Allium sativum L.)” was conducted during Rabi seasons of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at research farm and laboratory of Department of Vegetable Science, Dr. YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). In present study, garlic was intercropped with five different intercrops along with one of the three manurial practices viz., 250 q/ha FYM, 250 q/ha FYM + Beejamrit, + Ghanjeevamrit + Jeevamrit and 250 q/ha FYM + RDF (125 kg N/ha + 75 kg P2O5/ha + 60 kg K2O/ha which were replicated thrice in the form of fifteen treatments and one sole garlic crop treatment in a plot size of 3.2 × 1.5 m. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) involving a spacing of 20 × 10 cm for main crop, 40 × 7.5 cm for four intercrops viz., radish, turnip, fenugreek and coriander and 40 × 25 cm for oriental mustard green. Sowing and planting of both main crop and intercrops was done in the month of September. The parameters observed were plant height (cm), number of leaves per plant, days to harvest, bulb diameter (cm), bulb weight (g), number of bulbs per kg, number of cloves per bulb, garlic yield [per plant (g), per plot (kg) and per ha (q)], yield of intercrops per plot (kg) and per ha (q), total garlic and garlic equivalent yield per plant (g) and per hectare (q), weight of 100 peeled and unpeeled cloves (g), peeling index (%), TSS (˚B), dry matter content, sulphur content, sand (%), silt (%), clay (%), soil pH, soil electrical conductivity, organic carbon, NPK content of soil before and after the termination of experiment (kg ha-1) and microbial count in soil (cfu/g). The benefit cost ratio and land use efficiency (%) of different treatments was also worked out. The treatment combination in which garlic cv. Solan Selection was intercropped with fenugreek cv. IC-74 along with application of RDF (FYM-250 q, N-125 kg, P2O5-75 kg and K2O-60 kg per ha) produced best results for majority of parameters studied and also resulted in highest yield (171.53 q/ha) of superior quality bulbs with fenugreek leaf yield of 62.22 q/ha, maximum net returns of ₹ 13,98,188 and highest benefit cost ratio of 3.29 followed by treatment in which garlic cv. Solan Selection was intercropped with fenugreek cv. IC-74 along with the application of FYM-250 q/ha, Beejamrit, Ghanjeevamrit and Jeevamrit which gave bulb yield of 165.28 q/ha with fenugreek leaf yield of 56.11 q/ha, net return of ₹ 13,17,545 and benefit cost ratio of 3.12, besides higher organic carbon and microbial count in soil under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON EFFECT OF INTERCROPPING, MULCHING AND MANURIAL PRACTICES ON YIELD AND QUALITY OF TURMERIC (Curcuma longa L.)(UHF Nauni, 2024-04-18) MEENAKSHI; H Dev SharmaThe present investigation entitled “Studies on effect of intercropping, mulching and manurial practices on yield and quality of turmeric (Curcuma longa L.)” was conducted during Kharif season of 2021-22 and 2022-23 at research farm and laboratory of Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan (HP). Turmeric was intercropped with two different intercrops viz., maize and okra with polythene and grass mulch along with one of the three manurial practices viz., 200 q/ha FYM, 200 q/ha FYM + Beejamrit + Ghanjeevamrit + Jeevamrit and 200 q/ha FYM + RDF (30 kg N/ha + 30 kg P2O5/ha + 60 kg K2O/ha) which were replicated thrice in the form of twelve treatments and one sole turmeric crop treatment in a plot size of 3×1 m. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) involving a spacing of 30×20 cm for main crop, 60×20 cm for intercrops. Sowing and planting of both main crop and intercrops was done in the month of June. The parameters observed were plant height (cm), tiller girth (cm), number of tillers per plant, number of leaves per plant, leaf length (cm), leaf width (cm), leaf area index (LAI), incidence of rhizome rot (%) if any, yield of main crop and intercrops per plant (g), rhizome length (cm), rhizome breadth (cm), number of primary rhizomes, number of secondary rhizomes, specific gravity (g/cc), dry rhizome recovery (%), essential oil (%), oleoresin content (%), total curcuminoid content (%), pH, EC (dSm-1), OC (%), NPK content of soil before and after termination of experiment (kg ha-1) and microbial count in soil (cfu/g). The benefit cost ratio and land use efficiency was also worked out. From the present investigation, it can be concluded that turmeric cv. Palam Lalima intercropped with okra cv. P-8 along with polythene mulch with the application of RDF (30 kg N/ha + 30 kg P2O5/ha + 60 kg K2O/ha) gave the turmeric rhizome yield 252.86 q/ha and okra yield 79.75 q/ha, maximum net returns of ₹ 956419 and benefit cost ratio of 2.56 followed by turmeric cv. Palam Lalima intercropped with okra cv. P-8 along with polythene mulch with the application of Beejamrit, Ghanjeevamrit and Jeevamrit which gave turmeric rhizome yield of 245.08 q/ha and okra yield 77.78 q/ha, net return of ₹ 916550 and benefit cost ratio of 2.44, under mid hill conditions of Himachal Pradesh.ThesisItem Open Access STUDIES ON CONJOINT APPLICATIONS OF CONVENTIONAL AND NANOFERTILIZERS IN GARLIC(UHF Nauni, 2024-12-04) JAYESH GARG; Kuldeep Singh ThakurThe present study titled “Studies on conjoint applications of conventional and nanofertilizers in garlic” was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, College of Horticulture, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni Solan, (HP) in two successive seasons i.e. Rabi 2021-22 and 2022-23. The experiment was laid out in Randomised Complete Block Design with three replications comprising of seventeen treatment combinations of conventional fertilizers and nanofertilizers. Garlic cloves were sown at a spacing of 20 × 10 cm. Different conventional and nanofertilizers treatment combinations significantly influenced yield and plant growth attributes of garlic crop. The treatment combination which comprised of 80% of RDF + 3 sprays of nano NPK + 3 sprays each of nano Zn and Fe (T9) was applied and resulted in plants which had maximum number of leaves per plant (13.61), leaf length (60.59 cm), neck thickness (2.51 cm), lesser number of days to harvest (214.50), fresh weight of plant (114.46 g), bulb diameter (6.29 cm), bulb weight (78.36 g) and lesser number of bulbs per kg (13.31) higher bulb yield per plot (7.83 kg/plot) and per hectare (208.93 q). While treatment comprising of 80 % RDF + 3 sprays of Nano NPK+ 3 sprays of Nano- Fe (T8) recorded higher number of cloves per bulb (15.85). The treatment combination (T9) also resulted in good quality parameters viz. dry weight of plant (34.98 g), nitrogen content (1.97%), zinc content (131.60 ppm) and iron content (102.45 ppm). The dry matter content (43.33%) was recorded highest in treatment combination comprising of 90 % RDF + 3 sprays of Nano NPK+ 3 sprays each of Nano Zn and Fe (T5), while TSS (35.06° Brix) was recorded highest in treatment combination comprising of 70 % RDF + 3 sprays of Nano NPK+ 3 sprays of nano Fe (T12). Maximum phosphorus content (0.63 %) and potassium content (3.52%) was recorded in treatment combination through 80% RDF + 3 Sprays of Nano NPK+ 3 Sprays of Nano Zn (T7). After harvesting of the crop soil analysis also revealed that maximum availability of N: P: K (333.76: 39.59: 406.98 kg/ha) were in treatment T9 (80 % RDF + 3 sprays of Nano NPK + 3 sprays each of Nano Zn and Fe) with an increase of 23.51, 32.18 and 11.96 per cent, respectively over the recommended practice (270.22: 29.95: 363.48 kg/ha). The annual net return over the two years of study was found significantly highest (Rs 1219380 per hectare) with a B: C ratio of 2.70 in the same treatment. On the basis of two years study, it can be concluded that treatment combination T9 (80% of RDF + 3 sprays of nano NPK + 3 sprays each of nano Zn and Fe) resulted in saving of 20% fertilizers (NPK), enhanced growth, improved yield and net returns in garlic cultivation.ThesisItem Open Access GENETICS OF HORTICULTURAL AND YIELD CHARACTERISTICS IN BELL PEPPER (Capsicum annuum L.)(UHF Nauni, 2024-04-12) ASHIMA CHAUDHARY; Seema ThakurThe present study entitled “Genetics of Horticultural and Yield Characteristics in Bell Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.)” was carried out during the Kharif, 2021, 2022 and 2023 at the Experimental Farm Horticultural Research and Training Station & Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Kandaghat (Jadari) and Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YSPUH&F, Nauni, Solan (HP). Two separate experiments were conducted during the course of investigations. In the first experiment, twenty-five diverse genotypes of bell pepper were evaluated to assess information on the extent of variability, correlation and path coefficient analysis. In the second experiment, eight horticulturally superior parents were selected for making crosses in half diallel mating fashion and the resultant twenty-eight F1 hybrids were obtained. The parents and hybrid combinations were evaluated in a field trial conducted in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications during Kharif, 2023. The observations were recorded on days to first picking, number of branches per plant, plant height, harvest duration, fruit length, fruit breadth, fruit colour, number of lobes per fruit, average fruit weight, pericarp thickness, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plant, number of seeds per fruit, thousand seed weight, total soluble solids, ascorbic acid content, Phytophthora fruit rot incidence and Phytophthora leaf blight severity.The results revealed that all the genotypes possessed wide spectrum of variability and showed significant differences for parents and hybrids for the traits under study. For yield and component traits, the parental lines, California Wonder, Kyartoo Selection-I and Kadhar Selection had exhibited good gca effect. The genotypes with high gca can be used in multiple crosses and their segregating population can be used to develop superior recombinants. Among the cross combinations, the top three high yielding combinations with significant positive sca effects for fruit yield were California Wonder × Tikker Selection, Kadhar Selection × Kyartoo Selection-I and California Wonder × Deothi Selection. Estimates of genetic variance revealed the preponderance of non-additive gene action for all the characters which clearly suggests utilization of heterosis breeding for the improvement of these traits. On the basis of overall mean performance and heterosis over standard check the cross combinations viz., Kadhar Selection × Kyartoo Selection-I, California Wonder × Kyartoo Selection-I and California Wonder × Deothi Selection performed well for majority of yield and yield contributing traits and these hybrids can be recommended for future considerationThesisItem Open Access COMBINING ABILITY AND GENE ACTION IN OKRA (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)(UHF,NAUNI, 2023-12-29) AMAN DEEP RANGA; AMIT VIKRAMABSTRACT The present investigation titled, “Combining ability and gene action in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.)” was carried out at the Experimental Farm, Department of Vegetable Science, Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry, Nauni, Solan, HP, India during Kharif of 2021 and 2022 to study the mean performance, heterosis, combining ability effects, and nature and magnitude of gene action for yield and quality traits in okra. The experimental material used in the present study comprised of thirteen diverse okra genotypes, which were crossed in Line × Tester mating design during Kharif, 2021 to obtain thirty cross combinations. The thirty F1 crosses along with thirteen parental genotypes and one check Punjab-8 were evaluated in RCBD with three replications during Kharif, 2022. The observations were recorded on days to 50 per cent flowering, first flowering node, plant height, inter-nodal length, number of primary branches per plant, pod length, pod diameter, number of ridges per pod, number of pods per plant, average tender pod weight, pod yield per plant, pod yield per hectare, days to first picking, harvest duration, number of seeds per pod, hundred seed weight, pod colour at maturity, average tender pod dry weight, total sugar content in tender pod, total polyphenol content in tender pod, total protein content in tender pod, total nitrogen content in tender pod and mucilage content in tender pod. The analysis revealed that all the genotypes possessed wide spectrum of variability and showed significant differences for parents and hybrids for the traits under studied. UHFO-6 (307.77 g), Hisar Unnat (232.65 g) and UHFO-14 (200.12 g) among parents and cross combinations viz. UHFO-6 × Pusa Bhindi-5 (323.94 g) , UHFO-6 × Arka Anamika (321.74 g) and UHFO-2 × Pusa Bhindi-5 (256.26 g) performed best for pod yield per plant. The top five hybrid combinations for pod yield per plant showing significant positive heterosis over standard check were UHFO-6 × Pusa Bhindi-5 (129.29 %) UHFO-6 × Arka Anamika (127.73 %), UHFO-6 × Hisar Unnat (107.45 %), UHFO-2 Pusa Bhindi-5 (81.38 %) and UHFO-2 × Arka Anamika (73.53 %). The parental genotypes; UHFO-6 (123.47) and UHFO-9 (7.49)) were superior based on their general combining ability effects. The crosses UHFO-2 × Pusa Bhindi-5 (38.29) and UHFO-10 × Hisar Unnat (38.81) were good specific combiners for pod yield per plant. The non-additive gene action was predominant for the inheritance of the majority of the characters. Inter-nodal length (54.62 %) contributed maximum in lines, number of pods per plant (43.94 %) contributed maximum in testers and average tender pod weight (80.63 %) contributed maximum in the line × tester interaction. During kharif 2022, both parents along with each of F1, F2, B1 and B2 were evaluated to study the inheritance of pod colour ok okra. The Chi-square analysis for pod colour revealed that they are predominantly controlled by additive gene action with epistatic effect. The pattern of inheritance for pod colour traits was governed by a single pair of gene as all the F2 crosses showed a monogenic 3:1 ratio.
