Studies on Genetic Variability for yield and its components traits in Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia)

Abstract

Twenty diverse genotypes were evaluated at Horticulture research centre of SVP university of Agriculture & Technology, Meerut during spring season, 2022. The experiment was laid out in Randomized block design with three replications. The analysis of variance revealed significant among all the genotypes for all the characters under study. The high percentage of Genotypic coefficient of variation and phenotypic coefficient of variation for fruit diameter, fruit yield per plot, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per hectare, node number to first male flower, average fruit weight while, moderate were found for node number to first female flower and TSS and lowest in days to germination, number of leaves per plant, vine length, number of primary branches per plant, days to first male flower, days to first female flower and days to first fruit harvest which estimated that high degree of variability in these traits. The highest heritability recorded for fruit diameter 99.45% followed by number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per plot, fruit length, node number to first female flower, average fruit weight, number of leaves per plant, node number to first male flower, days to first male flower, fruit yield per hectare, days to first fruit harvest, TSS, days to germination, vine length, days to first female flower and number of primary branches per plant. Genetic advance as % of mean was highest for fruit diameter, fruit length, fruit yield per plot, number of fruits per plant, fruit yield per hectare, node number to first male flower, average fruit weight, node number to first female flower. Which indicate that above characters may be most potential for further improvement. The genotypic correlation was higher in magnitude than the phenotypic correlation coefficient. Fruit yield per plot was highly significant and positive correlation with node number to first male flower, node number to first female flower, number of leaves per plant, days to first female flower, days to first male flower, vine length, TSS and days to first fruit harvest. Path analysis result was recorded positive and direct effect on fruit yield per plot were exerted by fruit yield per hectare, fruit length, number of leaves per plant, number of fruits per plant, average fruit weight, node number to first male flower, days to first fruit harvest, vine length, fruit diameter and days to first male flower. Fruit yield per plot was exerted by TSS, number of primary branches per plant, days to first female flower, days to germination and node number to first female flower was recorded negative direct effect. Mahalanobis D2 statistics revealed that a considerable genetic diversity was found among genotypes. Twenty genotypes of bitter gourd were formed in five clusters. The cluster I comprised highest 13 genotypes, Cluster II comprised 3 genotypes, Cluster V comprised 2 genotypes, cluster III and cluster IV comprised 1 genotype each respectively. The maximum intra-cluster distance was recorded in cluster II, cluster V, cluster I, cluster III and cluster IV with minimum intra-cluster distance, suggested that the genotypes of cluster II are more heterogeneous whereas, genotype of cluster IV are comparatively homogenous based on intra-cluster distance. The maximum inter-cluster distance was recorded in cluster IV and cluster III whereas, the minimum inter-cluster distance was observed in cluster II and cluster I.