GERMPLASM RESOURCES OF OKRA IN ANDAMANS

Abstract

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) holds a prominent position on
the vegetable canvas of the Bay Islands. In the present paper, an attempt has
been made to document the morpho- physio-agronomical traits of a few
germplasm lines which have so far been collected. They have been evaluated
and catalogued. One germplasm ANC-l was found to be a dwarf with
extremely short internodes. It has a profuse bearing habit and is a high yielder
but it is bottle-necked by photosensitiveness and 'shaddy' looking fruits, and
so needs genetic improvement. Another notable germplasm ANC-6, which
was found to bear tolerance to multiple diseases viz., Altmulria leaf spot,
powdery mildew and Cerco5pOrtl leaf spot, may be used in disease resistance
breeding programmes. Okra is an important vegetable crop in Andamans
probably because of its year round production potentiality in the humid tropics
(with about 3000 mm rainfall distributed over 8 months) and being unsuitable
for the growth of a number of other vegetable crops especially winter crops.
Since long back, a number of okra lines have probably been introduced to
these islands which have undergone tremendous selection pressure in this
unique climate nitche. The present paper describes a few such germplasm
which are still growing inspite of the introduction of modern high yielding
varieties.