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Okra [Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench] is one of the most important vegetable crops grown extensively throughout the country during summer and rainy seasons. It has been one of the most popular vegetable crops in the tropics because of its easy cultivation, dependable yield, year round export potential, high nutritive value, wide adaptability to varying moisture conditions and resistance to diseases and pests. It´s fast growth, short duration and photo-insensitive nature enables plant breeders to raise two crops in a year and thus, genetic studies can be completed in short span of time. Moreover, its large flowers and monodelphous nature of the stamens make emasculation and pollination process easier.

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Khadia, Satish
Dr. Satish Khadia is Research Associate and joined the National Medicinal Plant Board at New Delhi in 2018. He completed his post graduate studies with a Ph.D. (Genetics and Plant Breeding) from the Sardarkrushinagar Dantiwada Agricultural University (India) in 2017 and M.Sc.(Botany) from Gujarat University, Ahmedabad (India) in 2011.

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