Induced mutation using gamma rays in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench.)

Abstract: Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench was popularly known as okra or ladies finger or bhindi. It is an important vegetable crop cultivated mostly in tropical and subtropical countries. The present study aims to induce variability in this economically significant crop plant using gamma rays. Mature, dry and healthy gamma rays irradiated seeds were allowed to grow in the field along with control seeds. The effect of different concentrations of gamma radiations on different agronomic traits and yield contributing characters of okra including shoot length, root length, number of secondary branches, fruits per plants, seeds per fruits and 100 seed weight, etc. were recorded for M1 and M2 generations. The observed agronomic and yield based characters in the M2 mutants at various doses of gamma rays were found to be significantly correlated. The obtained M2 mutant is useful in development of improved variety of okra with agronomically significant traits.