Heterosis studies for growth and yield parameters in sponge gourd [Luffa cylindrica (L.) Roem.]

Abstract

The present investigation was conducted to determine heterosis in 36 crosses, which were developed by using 9 parents to study the heterosis for growth and yield parameters in sponge gourd. Maximum standard heterosis for vine length (26.07%) was observed in SG-5 × SG-3, for number of leaves per plant in Kulgod local × Pusa Chikni (62.16%), for internodal length in SG-5 × KRCCH-2 (-27.36), for number of branches per plant in Kulgod local × Pusa Chikni (41.71%), for leaf area in Kulgod local × Pusa Chikni (26.50%), for sex ratio in SG-5 × Swarna Prabha (14.14%), for fruit set in SG-5 × KRCCH-1 (11.90%), for fruit length in SG-4 × KRCCH-2 (19.44%), for fruit diameter in SG-6 × Swarna Prabha (-21.13%), for average fruit weight in SG-5 × KRCCH-1 (13.37%), for number of fruits per plant in Kulgod local × Pusa Chikni (66.04%), for fruit yield per plant in Kulgod local × Pusa Chikni (100.74%). The three best performing F1 hybrids viz., the cross Kulgod local × Pusa Chikni (100.74%) followed by SG-5 × SG-3 (95.11%) and Kulgod local × KRCCH-1 (70.08%) exhibited the highest standard heterosis for total fruit yield per plant in order of merit.