Assessment of flower development and pollen viability to support okra breeding efforts

Pollen viability and longevity are critical determinants of sexual reproduction in plants and underpin key processes in plant physiology, ecology, breeding, and crop-based industries. Effective pollen performance is essential not only for natural plant propagation, but also for breeding programs that involve pollen collection and controlled hybridization to ensure high fruit and seed set. In okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.), recent advances in breeding strategies increasingly rely on detailed knowledge of floral biology and pollen behavior to enhance yield potential, disease resistance, and cultivar adaptability. The present study evaluated pollen viability percentage to identify suitable parental lines in okra for successful hybridization; flower developmental stages were also studied to determine the appropriate stage of emasculation in okra. Pollen viability (%) was assessed in seven okra cultivars, comprising two local varieties—Selection-21(S-21) and Sobuj-Sathi(SS)—and five mutant lines (M6L3, M6L4, M6L5, M6L6, and M6L7). Notably, among the five mutant lines, M6L3 (83.07%), and M6L6 (81.17%) exhibited significantly higher pollen viability than the local cultivars. High-viability mutant lines identified in this study represent valuable genetic resources for okra breeding programs. Overall, this study highlights the importance of synchronizing floral developmental stages and pollen viability assessment to enhance breeding efficiency and genetic improvement in okra.