Studies on genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)

Abstract

The experiment was conducted in randomized block design with three replications at the Main Experiment Station of the Department of Vegetable Science, N.D. University of Agriculture & Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, during the summer season 2017 to evaluate the genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in available genotype. Observations recorded on twelve quantitative characters. Analysis of variance revealed that the genotypes evaluated differed significantly among all the treatment for all the twelve traits. The PCV (phenotypic coefficient of variation) were higher than corresponding GCV (genotypic coefficient of variation), it reveals that variation is due to genotypes as well as environmental factors. The estimates of genotypic as well as phenotypic coefficient of variability were observed higher for no. of fruit per plant followed by fruit yield per plant, vine length and node no. of first staminate flower, fruit length whereas, average fruit weight, node number to anthesis of first pistillate flower, and were moderate coefficient of variability. High estimates of heritability were observed for all the character except days to anthesis of first pistillate flower, days to anthesis of first staminate flower, node no. of first pistillate flower, which indicated moderate heritability, while days to first fruit harvest and fruit diameter indicated low heritability. High estimates of genetic advance in per cent of mean recorded for no. of fruit per plant followed by fruit yield per plant, vine length, fruit length, node number to anthesis of first staminate flower, average fruit weight, while no. of nodes per vine and showed moderate genetic advance in per cent of mean.