Genetic variability and correlation studies in bitter gourd (Momordica charantia L.)
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Date
2007
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Publisher
SKUAST Kashmir
Abstract
A field experiment was carried out using twenty diverse genotypes of bitter gourd during summer 2004 at Vegetable Experimental Farm, SKUAST-K, Shalimar to estimate variability, heritability, correlation and path coefficients for sixteen traits. The experimental material was planted in randomised block design (RBD) with three replications at a spacing of 1 m x 0.5 m. Analysis of data revealed highly significant differences among the genotypes for all the traits under study. The phenotypic coefficient of variability was found higher than the corresponding genotypic coefficients of variability for all the traits. The maximum phenotypic and genotypic coefficients of variability were recorded for fruit yield per plant, vine length, total chlorophyll content of fruit, number of fruits per plant and fruit length. The magnitude of heritability in broad sense was quite high for all the characters under study. The values of heritability estimates ranged from 78.07 per cent (vitamin C content) to 99.36 per cent (fruit length). The values of genetic gain ranged from 11.95 for vitamin C content to 91.35 per cent for fruit yield plant-1. High heritability (bs) coupled with high genetic gain was recorded for all the traits suggesting role of additive gene action in their inheritance. The magnitude of genotypic correlation coefficients were higher than corresponding phenotypic correlation coefficients. The highest positive and significant correlation with fruit yield per plant was recorded for number of fruits per plant followed by average fruit weight, number of primary branches per plant, days to last picking, fruit length, vine length and vitamin C content of fruit. Besides this days to last picking, vine length, number of primary branches per plant, fruit length and average fruit weight had a positive and significant association with each other. On the other hand days to first male flower appearance, days to first female appearance, node number at which first male flower appears, node number at which first female flower appears and days to first picking had a significant negative association with fruit yield per plant. Path coefficient analysis revealed highest positive direct effect on fruit yield per plant of number of fruits per plant followed by average fruit weight, fruit length, days to first picking, days to first male flower appearance and dry matter content of fruit. Hence it can be inferred from present study that a considerable amount of variability exists in the material coupled with higher estimates of heritability and genetic gain. Therefore, further improvement can be made through selecting characters having a positive direct effect on fruit yield in bitter gourd.
Description
M.Sc Thesis submitted to SKUAST Kashmir
Keywords
Bitter gourd, Heritability,Correlation coefficients, Genetic gain,Path analysis, Olericulture/Vegetable Science