Physical characteristics, genetic diversity and heritability of Bitter gourd (Momordica charatia L.)

Abstract

Twenty genotypes of bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) were examined for genetic variability and heritability in order to assess population variability and identify genotypically diverse and economically attractive genotypes for use in crop development. The experiment was conducted after High phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation were noted for yield per vine (71.68), fruit weight (39.17), seed weight per fruit (37.25), fruit length (34.16), number of seeds per fruit (32.70), and internodal distance per vine (27.15), according to results from a randomizing block design with three replications. The amount of accessible genetic variability for these parameters was indicated by the modest phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variation found for the number of fruits per vine (19.81), the number of female flowers per vine (15.53), and the days to marketable yield (5.05). The yield per vine (99.70), weight of fruit (99.10), number of male flowers per plant (97.40), length of vine (96.00), number of seeds per fruit (91.80), and length of fruit (91.40) all show high heritability and high genetic advancement, indicating additive gene action in control of these traits. Phenotypic selection based on these traits in the segregating population is likely to produce the desired individuals.