Genetic improvement of okra cultivars for Yellow mosaic virus disease resistance using a wild Abelmoschus species

摘要

Yellow vein mosaic virus (YVMV) is the most destructive viral disease of okra, and its epidemic form represents a serious threat to production and quality of fruits. Okra 'Hisar Unnat' is ideally suited as a hot spot to screen against infection with YVMV disease. Therefore, incorporation of resistance to YVMV disease from the wild subspecies Abelmoschus manihot subsp. manihot to the cultivated okra species Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench 'Hisar Unnat' was undertaken. The Fi fruits of crosses between okra and the wild species were either seedless or produced 1-4 seeds, of which some could germinate. The partially fertile Fi plants were further back-crossed (twice) and also included in three-way crosses to improve both fruit shape and colour. The study indicated that resistance to YVMV disease is controlled by two complementary genes. The concentrated efforts with the focus on resistance to YVMV disease has resulted in the development of several promising recombinant inbreds of okra.