Okra variety trial for yield, fruit and nutritional quality

There is a big export market for okra but the expansion is hindered by the high price imported hybrid seeds. Local breeding of five-angled okra will eventually lead to the improvement of the seed system. Seeds will be available locally, hence farmers can have a cheaper source of seeds. Also breeding of this type of okra will produce varieties adapted under local conditions which could further lead to reduction of inputs. Stable lines have been developed and part of the breeding process is the preliminary yield trial (PYT), PYT was conducted on twelve (12) breeding lines of five-angled okra from January to May 2019 at the Institute of Plant Breeding, UP Los Baños. Harvesting of okra pods started 49 DAS (days after sowing) and lasted up to 109 DAS. Harvesting was done every other day and marketable and non-marketable fruits were sorted based on fruit size and physical and/or insect damages. The highest yielders were found to be breeding lines Ok 163404-3-1-0-0, Ok 163408-3-1-0-0 and Ok 163416-1-4-0-0 with potential yield of 21.34 t/ha, 21-49 t/ha, and 20.31 t/ha, respectively. Yield advantage over the control, Ok 173704 'Greenie' F2 with 150%, 138% and 152%, respectively. Based on sensory evaluation, Ok 163403-5-1-0-0 had the highest mean rating in terms of tenderness, taste and overall acceptability and had the least % dislike responses. The analysis on proximate composition, phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity of both seeds and flesh of okra showed that line Ok 163408-3-3-0-0 had the highest phenolic content (7.14%); line Ok 163406-1-2-0-0 had the highest total flavonoids (2.81%); while line Ok 163416-1-3-0-0 had the highest radical scavenging activity (93.76%). Additional activities on proximate, dietary fiber and Vitamin C and K analyses are yet to be conducted for a more thorough selection and eventually varietal recommendation.