Correlation Studies and Path Analysis in Bottle Gourd

Abstract

An experiment was conducted with 18 different characters in bottle gourd (Lagenaria siceraria (Molina) standl) comprising 36 hybrids obtained by crossing 9 lines and 4 testers by line x testers method to study the correlation and direct and indirect effects of different characters on fruit yield. The experiment was conducted in a randomized block design. The overall analysis reveals that fruit yield was positively and significant correlated with fruit flesh thickness, number of fruits per vine and number of fruit pickings. The path analysis indicated that number of fruits per vine, days to first female flower opening, fruit cavity and fruit weight had positive direct effect on fruit yield. Therefore emphasis should be given on fruit flesh thickness, number of fruits per vine, number of fruit pickings, days to first female flower opening, fruit cavity and fruit weight, while selecting a good hybrids for enhancing the yield of bottle gourd.