Heterosis in okra hybrids obtained by hybridization of two methods: traditional and experimental

High heterosis values can be obtained using hybrid okra seeds. However, despite high heterotic values, it is very difficult to produce hybrid okra seeds. The objective of this study was to evaluate an experimental methodology of hybridization. Two different methods of hybridization were used: traditional manual hybridization with complete emasculation followed by hand pollination (artificial) and, an experimental methodology, performing manual hybridization with incomplete emasculation followed by entomophilous natural 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 THM(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 branchess per plant, superiority of hybrids relative to parents (h) and heterosis (%). At the end of the cycle, morphological characterizations was done 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 traditional hybrid method, being a viable alternative for the production of hybrid okra seeds without losses in heterosis.