“GENETIC VARIABILITY AND DIVERGENCE STUDIES IN RIDGE GOURD (Luffa acutangula L.)”
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Date
2022-03-24
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COLLEHE OF HORITCULTURE, MOJERLA
Abstract
The investigation entitled “Genetic Variability and Divergence studies in
Ridge Gourd (Luffa acutangula L.) genotypes” was carried to estimate the genetic
divergence, genetic variability, correlation and path analysis for yield and yield
components of ridge gourd genotypes.
Twenty four genotypes were sown in a Randomized Block Design with
three replications to evaluate genetic divergence at College of Horticulture,
Mojerla, Wanaparthy, during Rabi, 2021.
The data on analysis of variance (ANOVA) for yield and yield contributing
characters under study revealed that there was significant amount of variation
among genotypes for all the sixteen characters studied. Wide range of variability
was observed for number of leaves per vine (700.51) followed by average fruit
weight (643.33) and days to first appearance of male flower (12.27) indicating the
scope for selection of initial breeding material for further improvement.
The results of mean performance of twenty four genotypes for sixteen
characters revealed that the genotype IC - 279347 found to be the superior for
yield and yield contributing characters i.e., fruit yield per vine (1956.48), number
of fruits per vine (4.44 g) and average fruit weight (146.88). The genotype IC -
341099 found to be significantly superior for number of primary branches
(15.778). The genotype IC - 262128 recorded more number of leaves per vine
(120.55). The genotype IC - 279347 was found to be superior for leaf width.
Highest internodal length was found in genotype IC - 264908 (21.23).
Mahalanobis D2
statistical analysis classified twenty four genotypes into five
clusters and revealed that fruit yield per vine (14.32%) contributed maximum
towards divergence followed by number of fruits per vine (13.45%), fruit
diameter (11.50%), node number for first female flower appearance (9.78%),
fruit length (8.90%), sex ratio (8.21%), node number for first male flower
appearance (7.00%), average fruit weight (6.50%), days to first female flower
appearance (4.00%), internodal length (3.00%), number of leaves per vine
(2.00%), days to first male flower appearance (2.00%), number of primary
branches (1.09%), leaf width (1.00%), and leaf length (0.36%).
The inter cluster D2 value revealed that the highest inter cluster generalized
distance (522.87) was between cluster IV and V while the lowest (13.56) was
between cluster II and IV. The genotypes of clusters showing high genetic
divergence could be effectively utilized in heterosis breeding programme.
High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as per cent of mean
indicates operation of additive gene action which was observed in characters viz.,
number of leaves per vine, average fruit weight.
From correlation studies, fruit yield per vine exhibited high significant
positive association with vine length, number of primary branches, internodal
length, number of leaves per vine, leaf length, node number for first male flower
appearance, node number for first female flower appearance, days to first male
flower appearance, days to first female flower appearance, sex ratio, number of
fruits per vine, average fruit weight, fruit length and diameter indicating the
importance of these traits in selection for yield. These characters should form
selection criterion in breeding programmes. Direct selection based on these traits
could result in simultaneous improvement of traits and bulb yield in ridge gourd.
The path coefficient analysis in the study revealed the improvement of yield
by improving the characters i.e., vine length, number of primary branches,
internodal length, leaf length, days to first male flower appearance, sex ratio,
number of fruits per vine, average fruit weight, fruit length and fruit diameter, the
genotypes exhibited the genotypes which exhibited better performance for these
characters can be used in further improvement of ridge gourd.
Considering the mean performance, five superior genotypes viz., IC 279347, IC- 262128, IC- 355974 and IC-355959 with high yield and quality
components may be utilized as parents in further improvement studies through
various breeding strategies and after multilocation, multiseasonal studies may be
released.
Description
“GENETIC VARIABILITY AND DIVERGENCE STUDIES IN RIDGE GOURD (Luffa acutangula L.)”