Combining ability variances and effects of yield and its components traits in okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench) were studied through line x tester analysis of 40 F1 hybrids derived by crossing eight nearly homozygous germplasm lines namely TCR 852 (L1), IC 1543(L2), TCR 2086 (L3), EC 306722 A3 (L4), EC 306741 A6 (L5), IC 7952 (L6), IC 3340 (L7) and EC 305651 (L8) with five testers viz., Arka Anamika (T1), Punjab Padmini (T2), Hissar Unnat (T3), Parbhani Kranti (T4) and Varsha Uphar (T5) were crossed during mid kharif (July-October) 2008, at experimental fields of Paambanvillai, Asaripallam, Vembanoor village, Agatheeswaran Taluk, Kanyakumari district during 2008. Eight lines and five testers and their 40 hybrids were evaluated for their genetic worthiness in breeding for fruit yield improvement in bhendi. The variance due to SCA was higher than that of variance due to GCA for all the six characters of interest. The genotypes viz., L2, T1, T3and T4 were adjudged as good general combiner for fruit yield. The cross combinations viz, L2 x T2, L2 x T1 and L6 x T4 were identified as best specific combiners for fruit yield.
