Diallel analysis in bitter gourd Momordica charantia L

Abstract

Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.) is an important commercial cucurbit newlinebelonged to the family Cucurbitaceae, genus Momordica. It is a large genus with newlinemany species of annual and perennial climbers of which Momordica charantia L. is newlinewidely cultivated. Bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L) it is one of the important newlinecucurbitaceous vegetables grown in our country. The somatic chromosome number of newlineMomordica charantia is 2n=2x=22. Other species belonging to this genus are M. newlinedioca, M. cochinchinensis, M. balsamina, M. tuberosa, M. subangulata, M. denudata newlineand M. macrocarpa. The plant is a monocious annual climber, stem 5 angled and newlinefurrowed; tendrils simple or forked. Leaves are palmetely 5-9 lobed and 5-17 cm newlinediameter. Flowers axillary, solitary about 3 cm in diameter, Calyx deeply 5 fid, newlinecorolla rotate, parted nearly to base, petals 5, filaments free and anther united. There newlineare three short styles terminated by three bi lobed stigma. Pollination is carried out by newlinerubbing anthers of freshly opened flowers against stigma of the protected pistillate newlineflowers. The crossed flowers are covered as above for a few more days. newline