Background and Rationale

Hybridization is the process of interbreeding between individuals of different species

(interspecific hybridization) or genetically divergent individuals from the same species (intraspecific hybridization).
Offspring produced by hybridization may be fertile, partially fertile or sterile. Plant hybridization can be used to
create flowers with new and prettier designs, vegetables that taste better or fruits that resist disease in the garden.
The objective of hybridization is to create genetic variation and to transfer of one or few qualitative characters.
Hybridization may be classified into two broad groups: Intervarietal hybridization and Distant hybridization.
Intervarietal hybridization also known as intraspecific hybridization happens when the parents involved in
hybridization belong to the same species, they maybe two strains, varieties or races of the same species. Distant
hybridization also known as interspecific hybridization includes crosses between different species of the same
genus or of different genera.
Okra (Abelmoschus Esculentus) is a herbaceous hairy annual plant of the Mallow family
(Malvaceae). Okra has a lot of varieties and also a lot of advantages in our body. Okra also known as “gumbo” or
“ladies finger” is a warm-season vegetable and it is good source of minerals, vitamins and Fibers. Plants that are
part of the Mallow family (Malvaceae) are usually cultivated as a source of natural fibres, and several are grown as
food crops and ornamentals. Okra is one of the richest sources of potassium, Folic acid, vitamins B and C, Calcium
and Fiber. Studies show that okra is well-supplied or filled with antioxidants, which is an attribute that makes it an
excellent anti-fatigue food. The leaves of the Okra are heart-shaped and has a lobe of three-to-five. Okra is love in
calories and has a high dietary fiber content hence Okra has been favoured as a food for the health-conscious. Okra
is a popular and profitable vegetable in the country. The young and tender fruits can be prepared as salad, boiled,
broiled or fried. Aside from its nutritional value, Okra is used as traditional medicine for the treatment of stomach
ulcer, inflammation of the lungs, diabetes, asthma, colitis, sore throat and constipation.
Smooth green is a variety of Okra that can be harvested 45 to 65 days after sowing. Smooth
green is suitable for year round planting. Its smooth pods are long, dark green and spineless. Smooth green okra is
widely grown throughout the year because it is resistant to either drought or water logging. Smooth green is
preferred by the consumers because of the deep green appearance because it doesn’t appear wilted if kept for
several days. Smooth green is used as traditional medicine for the treatment of stomach ulcer, inflammation of the
lungs, diabetes, asthma, colitis, sore throat and constipation.
Camiling Smooth Green Okra are flawless, no hairy spines and grown year round, prolific fruits
in almost every node. Camiling Smooth Green is a vigorous plant and it is tolerant to pests and diseases. In 1997
Camiling Smooth Green was released and people can plant it anytime because it is resistant to either drought or
water logging. Camiling Smooth Green produces double count of Okra per stem.