Characterization, Yield Components and Heterosis in Bitter Gourd Momordica charantia L.

Abstract

The present study was carried out at Horticultural Research Station, Mandouri, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyala under New Alluvial Zone of West Bengal, India. The experimental, material comprised of 33 genotypes of bitter gourd, were collected from NBPGR, Thrissur and different parts of West Bengal which were sown at RBD with three replications to study the genetic variability, to assess the genetic divergence for Selecting parental materials for crossing, to estimate heterosis, combining ability and gene action for different quantitative characters with the following objectives. To characterize bitter gourd genotype based on qualitative and quantitative traits as per minimal descriptors. To determine the genetic variability parameters for important growth and fruit characters influencing yield, their interrelationships and their direct and indirect effects on fruit yield. To analyses the genetic divergence of collected materials based on some important quantitative traits. To assess the extent of heterosis in the desired direction and to estimate the dominance reactions for yield and its components and quality parameters. To determine the nature of gene action for yield and other important attributes to identify good combiners, as well as to frame the breeding strategy for the genetic improvement of such characters. Thirty-three bitter gourd genotypes exhibited a wide range of variations in twenty- one qualitative trait and twenty quantitative traits. Two genotypes Gangajali Karala and IC-541448 were found most promising in respect of fruit yield per plant and nutritional quality traits at the Gangetic plains of West Bengal. These two genotypes could be tested at the state and national levels before releasing as varieties. High, GCV coupled with broad-sense heritability, and the genetic advance was registered for the number of primary branches, fruit yield per plant, and beta carotene content, which might be under the control of additive gene action and could be improved upon by selection without progeny testing. Emphasis should be given on fruit weight and petiole length for selecting high yielding genotypes of bitter gourd.