Heterosis studies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) for yield and yield attributes

Abstract

The experiment was conducted at Bagusala Instructional Farm, M. S. Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Paralekhemundi, Odisha to study the performance of 10 F₁ crosses of bitter gourd obtained from half diallel were studied to investigate the extent of heterosis for yield and its contributing characters. The analysis of variance showing all treatments are significant except days to opening of first female flower. The negative heterosis which is desirable for days to opening of first male flower, number of node bearing first male flower, number of node bearing first female flower in most of the crosses. Significant heterosis was recorded over better parent. The F₁ crosses Galaxy (Selection 9) x Special Bolder Uccha had identified most important parameter like number of fruits per vine and yield per vine. The crosses Shivam (Selection 12) x Special Bolder Uccha, Galaxy (Selection 9) x Meghdut Korola and Galaxy (Selection 9) x Special Bolder Uccha were noted to be the top performing crosses with respect to earliness and yield parameter.