An alternative method for the production of hybrid okra seeds

Resumo

High heterosis in okra is possible from hybrid seeds; however, producing these seeds is very challenging, making it difficult to take advantage of these heterotic traits. The objective of this study was to evaluate a new method for obtaining hybrid okra seeds. Two hybridization methods were tested. The first was a conventional method consisting of manual hybridization with complete emasculation followed by hand (artificial) pollination. The second was a new method consisting of manual hybridization with incomplete emasculation followed by natural insect pollination between two inbred lines (UFU-QB-040D and UFU-QB-107G). These inbred lines were obtained from three selection cycles. Three hybrid types were obtained from the two hybridization methods: F1 CHM(UFU-QB-040D x UFU-QB-107G), F1 IHM(UFU-QB-107G x UFU-QB-040D) and F1 IHM(UFU-QB-040D x UFU-QB-107G). The resulting hybrid seeds and their parents were evaluated via an experiment set up in a randomized block design with four repetitions. We evaluated fruit production per plant, fruits per plant, number of stems per plant, superiority of hybrids relative to parents (h) and heterosis (%).  At the end of the cycle, morphological characterizations were made of the leaves (pubescence, length and width) and fruit (length, diameter and shape). Heterosis resulting from the incomplete emasculation followed by natural insect pollination was similar to that from the conventional hybrid method, being a viable alternative for the production of hybrid okra seeds without losses in heterosis.