Impact of Hybridization on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) Vitamins Enrichment

Studies have shown that significant differences exist in the morphological, Phytochemical and nutrient characteristics among okra varieties. The aim of Plant breeders is to substitute the undesirable qualities of plants with desirable ones so that it results in higher yield of crops of improved quality. In this study, hybridization was carried out on two varieties of okra namely: Clemson spineless and dwarf long green to raise F1 so as to assess the impact of hybridization on okra nutrient enrichment as shown in vitamin compositions (vitamin A, B1, B2, B3 and C (fruits part) of the parental plants compared with the F1 hybrid. Results were analyzed using one way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed that the parental and the F1 plants contained varied quantities of all the investigated vitamins. Higher contents of Vitamins A, B2 and C were recorded for the F1 hybrid when compared with the parental plants. So, there was an expression of heterosis indicating that hybridization could greatly enriched vitamin nutrients in okra.

Moreover, F1 generation combined the characters of Clemson Spineless and Dwarf long green varieties and also had additional improved genetic attributes. This can be seen in most nutrients being higher in the F1 hybrid and also the reduced spines in the fruit of the F1 hybrid as opposed to the prominent spines in dwarf long green parent.