Wani, Kousar ParveenVivek, Vaidya Aashish2021-04-062021-04-062012https://krishikosh.egranth.ac.in/handle/1/5810163341M.Sc Thesis submitted to SKUAS-T KashmirGenetic variability and divergence was studied in Bottle gourd [Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) Standl.] to elicit information on the magnitude of variability and divergence. Forty two genotypes along with two checks were evaluated in RBD with 3 replications during kharif 2011 at Experimental Farm of Division of Vegetable Science, Shalimar. Observations were recorded on growth, yield, yield component and quality traits. Significant variations among genotypes were observed for all traits indicating presence of high level of genetic variability and divergence. High heritability (b.s.) was demonstrated by all the traits with maximum genetic gain (per cent of mean) for total fruit yield plant-1(kg), dry matter yield 100-1 (g), number of secondary branches, number of fruits plant-1 and average fruit weight.Total fruit yield plant-1(kg) was positively correlated with number of fruits plants-1, fruit length (cm), fruit girth (cm), average fruit weight (kg), total chlorophyll content (%) and dry matter yield 100-1 (g). The total fruit yield plant-1 was result of direct effect of average fruit weight (kg), fruit length (cm) and dry matter yield 100-1(g). Analysis for divergence, using D2 statistics revealed highly significant differences for traits indicating diversity among the genotypes, grouping the 42 genotypes into 4 clusters. Cluster I had maximum number of genotypes (29) followed by cluster II (9). Maximum inter-cluster distance was observed in cluster II and cluster III (658.09), whileas, the maximum intra cluster distance was observed in cluster III (167.00) and cluster II (95.64). Highest percent contribution to divergence came from total fruit yield plant-1 (kg) and number of fruits plant-1.EnglishClusters, Divergence, Genetic gainHeritability,Lagenaria siceraria and Variability.Olericulture/Vegetable ScienceThesis