Genetic analysis for heterosis and combining ability of the diallel crossess for yield and quality attributing traits in Bottle Gourd

Abstract

The present investigation, entitled Genetic Analysis for Heterosis and Combining Ability of the Diallel Crosses for Yield and Quality Attributing Traits in Bottle Gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] was conducted in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications across multiple habitats. The experimental materials included 6 parents, 15 F1 crosses, and two standard checks. The study was carried out during the summer of 2021-2022, Kharif 2022-2023, and Kharif 2023-2024 at the Vegetable Research Centre, Maharajpur, Department of Horticulture, JNKVV, Jabalpur. The observations for twenty-one traits viz., vine length (m), number of primary branches per vine, number of secondary branches per vine, internodal length (cm), number of node at first male flower appearance, number of node at first female flower appearance, number of male flowers per vine, number of female flowers per vine, days to first male flower appearance, days to first female flower appearance, days to the first fruit harvest, fruit set percentage, TSS (%), ascorbic acid content of fruits (mg/100g), rind thickness (mm), number of fruits per vine, length of fruits (cm), weight of fruits (kg), fruit girth (cm), fruit yield (kg) per vine, fruit yield (q) per hectare were recorded for each season on five individual vines that were chosen at random. newlineSignificant genetic differences across genotypes, including parents and crosses, were observed for the majority of the characteristics in both their respective contexts and when both of them were combined. The existence of heterosis for the majority of the variables under investigation and the truthfulness of the differences in parental performance were shown by the significance of mean squares for each quality. newline newline