Sumaria Nasir
Department of Plant Breeding and Genetics
*Corresponding author: sumarianasiruaf@gmail.com
Okra is one of the nutritious and economically important vegetables found in tropical and subtropical areas. Asia and Africa are the largest producers of okra. Okra has the potential to combat food insecurity, malnutrition, and low-income obstacles, specifically in developing countries. Despite many benefits, it also comes across barriers, such as a narrow genetic basis, polyploid complexity, and stress in the midst of climate change, which lead to shifts in weather patterns. Traditional breeding, pedigree selection, mutation breeding, and heterosis delivered significant results. Now modern technologies, such as genome editing, pangenome, and CRISPR Cas9, give efficient results, and reduce the time. Researchers can also utilize advanced technology to explore the potential of non-model crops, such as okra. It also possesses properties like bioactive compounds, mucilage, and seed proteins. Limitations are the genomic database, interspecific incompatibility, and poor use of wild germplasm. Future improvement will require integrated approaches that combine genomics, biotechnology, and conventional breeding to develop climate-resilient and nutritionally enhanced cultivars, ensuring okra’s role in sustainable agriculture and global food security.