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Genotype x environment interactions is of major importance to the plant breeder in developing improved genotypes. When genotypes are compared over a series of environments, the relative rankings usually differ. This causes difficulty in demonstrating the significant superiority of any genotype. This interaction is usually present whether the varieties are pure lines, single cross, double cross hybrids, top crosses, S 1 lines or any other material with which the breeder may be working.

The present investigation was carried out during Kharif 2014. The experimental material consists of 40 different genotypes of okra with three checks Arka Anamika, Parbhani Kranti and Pusa Sawani. The materials were grown in randomized block design with three replications during Kharif 2014 on the field of Department of Agricultural Botany, College of Agriculture, VNMKV, Parbhani. The investigation carried out in the present study revealed that the genotypes 136 Thin, 003163, Kashi Pragati, Kashi Vibhuti and BO 13 showed better performance for traits namely plant height, length of fruit, calcium content, iron content, vitamin C content and fruit yield per hectare. Among the genotypes 136 Thin and 003163 had given highest yield. The high genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variation was observed for characters namely number of branches, yield per hectare, yield per plot and yield per plant. All these traits indicate additive effect showed response for selection. High heritability estimates were found for characters like number of branches, yield per plot, iron content, yield per plant, plant height, vitamin C content, number of seeds per fruit (dry fruit), fruit bearing node and calcium content indicated good inheritance of these characters. High heritability coupled with high expected genetic advance was observed for characters like plant height, calcium content, yield per plant and yield per hectare, indicated presence of additive gene action and phenotypic selection may become more effective for desired genetic improvement.

The present investigation entitled "Study on heterosis and combining ability for yield, its components and fibre characters in Desi cotton (Gossypium arboreum L.)" was undertaken to estimate general combining ability effects (GCA) of the parents and specific combining ability effects (SCA) of the crosses. The experimental material comprised of 24 F 1 hybrids obtained by crossing 4 lines with 6 testers in line x tester mating system. Sum total of 36 treatments consisting of 24 crosses, 10 parents and three standard checks were sown in Randomized Complete Block Design. The analysis of variance for combining ability revealed significant general combining ability effects (GCA) and specific combining ability effects (SCA) for all the traits.Among ten parental lines, most of the lines were found to be best general combiner, which had significant general combining ability (GCA)effect for seed cotton yield and its contributing characters includingfibre quality traits.Analysis of variance for means revealed significant differences for all the eighteen characters studied. Among females, PA 741 was found to be the best general combiner for 3 characters viz., days to 50 per cent flowering, days to 50 per cent boll bursting and days to maturity had significant GCA effects. The female PAIG 77 was the best general combiner for three characters viz., number of bolls per plant, number of seeds per plant and boll weight. The female PA 809 was the best general combiner for 2.5 per cent span length, fibre fineness/ micronaire, fibre strength, uniformity ratio and short fibre index. Among males, AKA 2004-29 found to be best general combiner for days to 50 per cent flowering, days to 50 per cent boll bursting, days to maturity and ginning outturn. Male parent ARBAS 1301 was also found to be best general combiner for number of sympodia per plant, number of bolls per plant,number of seeds per boll, seed cotton yield per plant, lint index, seed index, plant height, 2.5 per cent span length, fibre fineness, short fibre index and fibre strength. Male parent GAM 162 found to be best genral combiner for ginning outturn, 2.5 per cent span length and short fibre index whereas, CNA 1016 for boll weight. There was close agreement between per se performance and GCA as well as SCA effects for most of the characters. Observations on various characters indicated that the crosses showing high heterosis and high SCA effects had high per se performance and they involved at least one high combining RESEARCHARTICLE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PLANT SCIENCES