INTER-SPECIFIC HYBRIDIZATION IN ABELMOSCHUS SPECIES

摘要

The okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) is a popular crop in India grown on an extensive piece of land. It has a number of wild relatives with well-studied cytogenetics occurring within Indian subcontinent from temperate to tropical areas. A great variation within Abelmoschus with regard to climatic requirement and adaptation provides immense opportunity to utilize it with various objectives in major thrust areas, particularly resistance to biotic and abiotic factors. Wide crossing programme is a particular means for flowing valuable genes in easily utilizable pool. Of many of biotic and abiotic stresses in cultivated okra, Yellow Vein Mosaic virus is the most potent threat to the growers. Therefore, studies on inter-specific crossability of differentspecies are indispensable to draw such important resistant genes from wild relatives. Many attempts have earlier been made to develop cultivars resistant to this virus. However, efforts remained unsuccessful to stabilize the resistance because of lack oftrue resistance within A. esculentus group. Many wild species viz., A. pungens, A. manihot. A. crinitus, A. cancellatus (syn. A, radiatus) in temperate group and A. panduraeformis, and A. vitifolius in tropical / sub-tropical group have been found to beresistant to YVM virus (Mamidwar et al., 1979; Singh and Bhatnagar, 1975). Therefore, studies on inter-specific crossability are indispensable to utilize these species. Some enthusiastic efforts have earlier been made in this regard (Arumugham, et al.,1975: Dutta, 1984; Gadwal et al., 1968; Jambhale and Nerkar, 1983; Pal et al., 1952; Sandhu et al., 1974; Thakur, 1976). Present investigations were conducted during Kharif 1999 and spring-summer 2000 with seven species of Abelmoschus viz., A. esculentus, A. (Hibiscus) panduraeformis, A. moschatus, A. (H.) vitifolius, A. tetraphyllus fNIC-53), A. tuberculatas and A. caillei at IARI, New Delhi. During first year inter-specific direct and reciprocal crosses were made among these species and the progenieswere tested in subsequent summer-spring of 2000 for fertility. A healthy breeding nursery of these species was raised following necessary cultural practices.