Background: Genetic analysis of key agronomic traits in okra is essential for enhancing yield and quality. This study evaluated heterosis, inbreeding depression, combining ability, and gene action in 16 morpho-agronomical traits. Methods: Mid- and better-parent heterosis, inbreeding depression, and combining ability (general and specific) were assessed. Additive-to-dominance ratios, scaling tests, and epistasis analysis were used to determine gene effects and interactions. Results: Significant heterosis was recorded for yield-related traits, especially for stem height (MPH: 78.30%, BPH: 42.16%) and pod weight (MPH: 51.26%, BPH: 36.05%), indicating strong hybrid vigor. High inbreeding depression in pod weight (32.82%), pod length (29.16%), and seed number (22.67%) suggested non-additive gene effects. Combining ability analysis showed additive gene action for internodal length (σ²GCA/σ²SCA = 1.42), whereas dominance effects played a major role in determining pod weight (0.09) and pod length (0.23). The duplicate epistasis in most traits revealed the complexity of genetic inheritance in okra. Conclusion: The findings clarify the genetic control of important okra traits, showing that both additive and non-additive gene effects influence yield and quality. Significant heteros is and combining ability results identify promising parents and hybrids for improving okra through selective breeding.
Elshafy et al. (Tue,) studied this question.