Genetic divergence studies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

A study was conducted during kharif 2013, in Karnataka, India to evaluate the nature and magnitude if genetic divergence in 55 bitter gourd genotypes. Results revealed the presence of wide genetic diversity. The genotypes were grouped into 10 clusters based on Mahalnobis D2 statistics using Tocher’s method. The clustering pattern of genotypes revealed that the genetic diversity was independent of the geographical diversity. Among the 10 clusters maximum number of genotypes were found in cluster I. Among the 19 quantitative characters studied rind thickness contributed a maximum of 35.01 % contribution to the divergence followed by fruit yield per vine. Ranking of genotypes based on intra cluster mean performance for these characters which are major contributors of genetic diversity revealed its usefulness in selecting parents for heterosis breeding.