SREEPARNA CHOWDHURY AND SANJEEV KUMAR*
Department of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara144 411 (Punjab), India
*(e-mail : sanjeev.19379@lpu.co.in; Mobile : 9001175405)
(Received : February 9, 2019; Accepted : April 18, 2019)
ABSTRACT
Okra is one the commercially exploited vegetable crops which is grown worldwide. It belongs to the Malvaceae
family and known to be originated in Ethiopian region of the world. It has rich source of nutrients, minerals
and fibers and hence it has also been attractant to many pests and diseases infestation. As it is mostly grown for its nutritive pods, increasing yield along with minimum losses due to infestation is the main goal in okra breeding. Among the diverse wild gene pool of okra, it holds resistant source of gene for many biotic stresses. However, solving the problem of diseases and pests infestation in okra by traditional breeding approach is one of the value added steps for resistant variety released in the recent past. Now, the advancement in molecular and biotechnological techniques enhances the okra improvement programmes by advancing in marker assisted selection and resistant gene transfer. Considering the present literatures, this review signifies the exploitation of combined study of conventional as well as modern breeding techniques which can further influence and support the knowledge for okra breeding programmes.
Key words : Nutritional, heterosis, high yielding varieties, resistant source, marker assisted selection