Heterosis for yield attributing traits in spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb)

Abstract

Heterosis for quantitative characters in spine gourd genotypes (10 parents and 21 F1) was investigated during June to September 2017-18. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences among the parents and hybrids for 10 characters studied. Considerable coefficient of variation were observed for Days to first flowering, Days of first flowering node, number of stem per plant, fruit shape, ovary length, ovary diameter, fruit length, single fruit weight, number of fruit per plant, and fruit yield per plant indicating the scope of selection for those characters. The characters like ovary length, ovary diameter, fruit length, single fruit weight, number of fruit per plant, fruit yield per plant contributed the maximum variability towards divergence among spine gourd genotypes. Heterosis study depicted that the crosses. Cross NDM-5 x AJSG-2 showed desirable heterotic cross over mid parent and NDM-5 x AJSG-2 for better parent for single fruit weight. Cross RMDSG-4 X IK-1 showed desirable better parent heterotic cross over mid parent and NDM-2 x CK-2 for better parent and RMDSG-4 X IK-1 for commercial check for number of fruit per plant. Cross RMDSG-4 X AJSG-2 showed desirable heterotic cross over mid parent and crosses NDM-5 x AJSG-2 for better parent and RMDSG-4 X AJSG-2 for commercial check for fruit yield. Therefore the above tested cross combinations could be utilized for isolating superior segregates for these traits or could be exploited in isolating pure line varieties based on performance in spine gourd.