Amelioration of economically important traits through mutagenesis in spine gourd (Momordica dioica)

Abstract

Mutation breeding can sometimes be endeavored along with conventional breeding efforts, resulting in the discovery of some economically useful genetic changes. Evaluation of 96 first-generation mutant germplasm lines of spine gourd (Momordica dioica Roxb.) was done through morphological descriptors and molecular makers. Correlation coefficient analysis, path analysis and cluster analysis supplemented by molecular marker-based population structure analysis helped in understanding the population behavior and identification of high-yielding lines. The yield was found to be highly positively correlated with days to first flowering, leaf width, single fruit weight and number of fruits per plant. Also, the maximum positive direct effect on yield was shown by single fruit weight followed by the number of fruits per plant and leaf width. The population structure analysis revealed 4 clusters of population. Few high-yielding lines were identified which approximately yielded 1.5 times more than the checks. Further refinement in these mutant lines through breeding programs coupled with in-depth molecular analysis can lay the foundation of the release of some excellent spine gourd varieties in the future.