Estimation of genetic divergence in Bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] for yield and it’s attributing traits

Abstract

The genetic divergence among 73 genotypes of bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Mol.) Standl.] was determined through Cluster analysis and Mohalanobis’s D2 analysis. The cluster analysis grouped all 73 bottle gourd genotypes into 6 major clusters based on D2 value. Extreme genetic divergence was estimated among clusters. Maximum number of genotypes were grouped into cluster III included 22 genotypes. Maximum inter cluster distance was found between cluster I and cluster VI (9.347) which would be fruitful for developing heterotic cross combination. The maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster VI (2.865) closely followed by cluster IV (2.436) indicating maximum diversity within these clusters. Cluster I showed highest mean value for no. of fruits per plant, yield (q/ha) and expressed lowest mean performance for node number at which first male flower appears, node number at which first female flower appears, days to first female flower appears, days to 50% flowering, days to fruit set, days to first fruit harvest and duration of crop.